GWM Tank 500 Diesel Is Coming To South Africa | Everything We Know
If the thought of a GWM Tank 500 is appealing but the quoted prices are not, then prepare to be pleasantly surprised. It has come to light that GWM South Africa is set to introduce a new 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine to the Tank 500 range shortly, which should bring the entry-level price substantially down.
GWM South Africa previously announced the same engine to be introduced to the GWM P500 bakkie range, so let's take a closer look at what changes we should anticipate, what the new price could be, and what it has in store for local buyers once it hits our shores.
What's New: GWM Tank 500 Getting A 3.0-Litre Diesel Engine
It was previously speculated that GWM would introduce a six-cylinder engine into the Tank 500 to rival the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok dual V6 turbodiesels. This did not come to fruition, as GWM announced the new engine to be introduced is a four-cylinder turbocharged engine. In May, GWM announced the 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine makes 170 kW and 620 Nm of torque when paired to a nine-speed automatic gearbox and full-time four-wheel drive. Compared to the current 2.4-litre turbodiesel, the new engine is 35 kW and 140 Nm more powerful.
As with the GWM P500 bakkie range, GWM has been teasing buyers on social media about the impending arrival of this engine with copy such as "A new level of power and capability awaits" and "Prepare to Ascend". Locally, it is anticipated that this engine will be known as GWM Tank 500 3.0T, as it follows the 2.4T convention of the existing 2.4-litre diesel engines in the Tank 500 range.
Comparisons: Diesel Tank 500 vs The Competition
While not officially announced, buyers considering the purchase of a GWM Tank 500 are sure to be comparing apples to apples with the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok rival SUVs. Both the Ranger and Amarok share a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine making 184 kW and 600 Nm of torque. Compared to these established competitors, the new GWM 3.0-litre four-cylinder engine produces 14 kW less and 20 Nm more than the 3.0 V6 engines in the Ranger and Amarok.
Isuzu D-Max and Mazda BT-50 buyers will also be interested to know that they share the same 3.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine as the GWM Tank 500, which makes 140 kW and 450 Nm. GWM's 3.0 T is substantially more powerful than the competition turbodiesels in its class. The new 3.0 diesel in the GWM Tank 500 has a braked towing capacity of 3 500 kg, which should satisfy those buyers looking to tow a boat, trailer, or caravan.
Diesel vs Hybrid: Less Power But More Efficiency
Currently, the only Tank 500 model available for purchase in South Africa is the Ultra Luxury variant with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol hybrid powertrain making an impressive 255 kW and 648 Nm. The hybrid powertrain allows for a blistering 0 – 100 km/h time of just 8.3 seconds.
While the hybrid powertrain will obviously outperform the new diesel engine, this is not what most petrol and diesel buyers are looking for. The hybrid engine's primary benefit is improved performance, which is achieved at the expense of fuel economy. On the contrary, most diesel buyers would be interested in the fuel economy benefits of a turbodiesel engine, which GWM estimates to be between 7.1 – 7.3 litres per 100 km. This level of economy would satisfy most buyers looking for a capable and efficient large SUV.
The main reason why most buyers are interested in a diesel Tank 500 is because of the improved towing capacity. The new diesel will be able to tow up to 3 500 kg compared to the 2 500 kg of the hybrid Tank 500, which has a braked towing capacity of 2 400 kg.
Price Drop Anticipation: New Diesel Will Be Cheaper Than Hybrid
Speaking of towing capacities and fuel economy, local buyers are sure to be asking the big question; will the new diesel model be cheaper than the hybrid?
Currently, the only Tank 500 model available is the ultra luxury 2.0T hybrid and it starts at R1 228 950. With the introduction of the diesel model it is safe to assume that the entry-level price will drop substantially, as is the case with most automakers' product ranges. For example, GWM South Africa's P500 bakkie range utilises a similar pricing structure and the new 2.4-litre diesel model should start just below the 2.5-litre hybrid model.
It is possible that the new GWM Tank 500 3.0T diesel might also start just below the entry-level 2.0T hybrid Tank 500 ultra luxury variant. This would allow buyers that have been priced out of a Tank 500 to purchase the more accessible diesel-powered Tank 500 with all the off-road capability of the 3.0T hybrid.
This diesel introduction will also be beneficial to buyers looking to purchase a Tank 500 with a more familiar Land Cruiser Prado feel, as the 3.0T diesel engine will be able to offer substantially more towing capacity than the current Tank 500's 2.0T hybrid engine.
Global Availability: Tank 500 Diesel Launching Elsewhere
While the new 3.0T diesel engine will debut in South Africa shortly, it is not a local-only offering. In fact, the Tank 500 has already been available with a 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine in Thailand since mid-2025. Furthermore, the new 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine will debut in Australia at the same time as South Africa. In Australia, the new 3.0T diesel will be available for the Tank 500 SUV and the Cannon Alpha bakkie. This indicates that the demand for a larger, more powerful diesel engine in the GWM Tank 500 is felt across the globe and not just in South Africa.
When Can We Expect It?
While no official launch date has been announced, it is safe to assume that it will be within the next few weeks, as it is sure to follow shortly after the announcement surrounding the P500 diesel's launch. More formal announcements regarding the pricing and full specifications of the P500 and Tank 500 diesels are expected soon.
Last note
The GWM Tank 500 has always been an imposing force on the road with its aggressive and premium SUV styling and the new option of a 3.0T diesel engine should only add to its allure. With the introduction of this new diesel engine option, buyers can customise their Tank 500 to suit their needs. Whether it is the hybrid's performance or the diesel's efficiency and towing capacity that buyers are looking for, the Tank 500 is set to deliver.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the new engine coming to the GWM Tank 500 in South Africa?
A 3.0-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine producing 170 kW and 620 Nm of torque when paired to a nine-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive.
Will the diesel Tank 500 be cheaper than the hybrid?
It is anticipated that it will be cheaper than the current hybrid Tank 500 as the entry-level price is sure to drop with the new introduction of the diesel engine.
Is the new diesel engine more powerful than the hybrid?
No, the hybrid engine makes more power than the new diesel engine.
How does this new engine compare to the Ford Ranger's diesel?
The Ford Ranger's diesel engine produces more power than the new GWM diesel engine, but less torque.
What is the towing capacity of the new diesel engine?
The towing capacity of the new diesel engine is 3 500 kg.
When will the diesel Tank 500 be launched in South Africa?
Although no official launch date has been announced it is safe to assume that it will be within the next few months.
Will this new diesel engine also be available in other countries?
Yes, it will also be available in Australia and Thailand.
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