GWM has added a shining new star to its universe of models with the new GWM Tank 300, which is expected to be available in Namibia from the first or second week of March. The new model not only introduces the GWM Tank brand, but with it a new world of pure-bred off-road performance and, as is commonplace for all GWM models, an unmatched level of luxury, design and styling. Pricing for the GWM Tank is to be confirmed closer to the local launch date.
“GWM Tank is already a well-established off-road lifestyle brand in China and in world markets such as Australia, where owners share our love for overlanding, the great outdoors, and for finding roads less travelled. That is why we are very confident that the GMW Tank 300 and future GWM Tank models will find a welcome home among southern Africans,” said Bianca van Staden, Head of Marketing, Brand and PR of GWM South Africa.
“As the first model in the new GWM Tank range, the GWM TANK 300 must firmly establish the range’s credentials of luxury, true off-road performance, and durability. And it does so with aplomb,” said Van Staden.
The ability of the GWM TANK 300 starts – as with all GWM models – in the design and engineering phase. GWM draws on its global network of design, development and testing centres to invest thousands of hours into the creation of the model platform. It then introduces the model to its large local market, and considers user feedback to further improve the model before exporting it to its main markets such as Australia, South Africa, Europe and South America.
“Our engineers accepted nothing as sacred in designing the GWM Tank 300. We relooked every aspect of a true off-road model to create a vehicle where durability does not mean you sacrifice design, off-road capability does not mean that you have to compromise on on-road driving comfort, and utility does not come at the expense of luxury,” continued Van Staden.
The GWM Tank 300 is built on a proprietary and very strong ladder frame chassis. Indeed, this chassis and bodyshell use mostly 1500 Mpa steel for greater rigidity and crash-test performance.
Mounted to the ladder frame is a modern multi-link rear suspension and a durable double-wishbone front suspension for greater on-road comfort which does not impede the off-road capabilities. The high-strength passenger cell is fitted to the top of the ladder frame with special rubber mountings that absorb road noise and vibration for a truly luxurious driving experience inside the cabin.
Multiple towing and recovery hooks are fitted directly to the chassis, and the drivetrain is anchored with special dynamic mounts and a balancer shaft to contribute to the in-cabin comfort.
The GWM Tank 300 cuts a unique profile which shows it is made-for-purpose. GWM designers created a smoothed-out angular profile that tips the hat to off-road vehicles from the past, yet stands firmly in a modern environment.
This is also true of the newly-designed Tank logo fitted on the bright black grille. Consisting of two capital letters – a “T” and a “U”, the new logo symbolises the brand’s focus on Technology and modern trends, while never losing focus on the User (phonetically also referring to You), and the fact that the brand seeks to Unite fans of the great outdoors.
Some of the stand-out design features include the round LED headlamps which are dissected by bright LED daytime running lights. An off-road front bumper with integrated LED fog lamps exposes the Michelin HEV SUV tyres and aids technical off-road driving, while the clamshell-style bonnet with its large power bulge becomes a confident statement of the vehicle’s capabilities.
The side profile frames off the large alloy wheels with black fender extensions. The fenders are connected with a black running board.
The door handles, large side mirrors and roof rails are treated in a similar black finish.
At the back, there are squared LED tail lamps, a door-mounted spare wheel – also fitted with a full-sized alloy wheel – and a square rear bumper with integrated tow bar mounting bracket and 12Volt power plug.
The rear luggage door is hydraulically assisted, and a spare wheel cover is standard.