GWM PH is officially launching the Tank 300, priced at PHP 2,678,000
A few months ago, GWM Philippines previewed to us the Tank 300 SUV. At the time of the preview, the brand was still very much planning out how it would release the vehicle to market.
As luck would have it, the brand is finally offering the vehicle for sale.
2024 GWM Tank 300
It is the first five-door, off-road-oriented SUV in the Philippines in nearly two decades, representing a new foray for the Chinese automaker that has built its reputation for offering credible and well-priced alternatives to Japanese hybrid crossovers.
Robust ladder-frame chassis
Unlike other SUVs of this size, the Tank 300 uses a ladder-frame chassis with a 160mm by 130mm cross-section.
GWM Philippines said the new off-roader’s frame has a torsional rigidity of 282.8 kNm/rad to provide a stable foundation for torsional resistance and driving stability on challenging terrain. Put another way, the all-new Tank 300 has been designed from the ground up to take on the most severe trails that would leave other crossovers stranded.
Other headline off-roading figures include a 33-degree approach angle and a 34-degree departure angle, thanks to the Tank 300’s short overhangs. It also has 224mm of ground clearance and a generous 700mm of wading depth.
And for those who need to haul, the all-new Tank 300 has an unbraked towing capacity of 750 kg and a braked towing capacity of 2,500 kg. A trailer power outlet also comes as standard.
Serious off-road tech
Given the slippery surfaces that the SUV will face, the Tank 300 gets front and rear differential locks, as well as an All-Terrain Control System with eight driving modes and an expert mode that acts like a conductor for the engine, transmission and differentials to ensure that the perfect amount of torque goes to each wheel on any terrain.
The Tank 300 also features Crawl Control, which automatically drives the SUV from 5 to 12 km/h for hassle-free progress in especially difficult conditions. And finally, the segment-first Tank Turn adds braking pressure to the inner rear wheel through the electronic parking brake, reducing the SUV’s turning radius by 1.2 meters.
Retro styling for the modern age
The GWM Tank 300 eschews soft curves and flowing lines for a tough, commanding design language.
Up front, the off-roader features a rectangular, three-slatted grill. But what truly catches the eye are the horizontal LED daytime running lights that run along the center of the round LED headlights, creating a distinctly modern twist on off-road SUV designs of the past.
Lower down are LED foglights that follow the angle of the steering wheel, offering greater visibility in turns.
Along the side, the Tank 300 features an unashamedly boxy silhouette, accentuated by the inset windows and the thick black plastic cladding that offers additional bodywork protection even in the deepest of ruts.
The enormous fenders house 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 265/65 series all-terrain tires. And speaking of wheels, the SUV comes standard with a full-size spare wheel mounted on the tailgate, flanked by the large LED taillights.
Finally, the standard raised roof rails allow owners to securely fasten all their camping or expedition gear, without compromising space for passengers and other essential cargo.
Opulent, distinctive cabin
What truly defines the GWM Tank 300 as a modern off-road SUV is the premium cabin.
While SUVs of old came with hardly any creature comforts, the Tank 300 has standard Nappa leather upholstery. Diamond-pattern stitching, normally seen in ultra-high-end luxury sedans, is incorporated to give its cabin incomparable elegance.
A pair of 12.3-inch digital displays are used for the instrument cluster and the touchscreen infotainment system, which is paired to a premium 9-speaker Infinity sound system. And unlike many other Chinese SUVs, the Tank 300 comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for full connectivity and convenience.
Meanwhile, the microfiber steering wheel includes paddle shifters for greater control, as well as ambient interior lights for a truly premium feel. Adventurous owners will also appreciate the standard cooling box and the 220-volt power outlet in the cargo area.
Other distinctive design elements include the retro-style, cylindrical air-conditioning vents, the centrally mounted analog cabin clock and the gear selector that is akin to the thrust levers of a jet aircraft.
Gutsy turbo power
Powering the Tank 300 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine pumping out 217 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 380 Newton-meters of torque from 1,800 to 3,600 rpm.
The stout powerplant is mated to a German ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, which has flexibility and smoothness that is well-established in a wide variety of vehicles, including high-end luxury models.
Meanwhile, the standard intelligent stop-start system helps reduce fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions by shutting off the engine during extended idle periods.
Putting all this performance to the ground are double-wishbone front suspension and multilink rear suspension. Finally, the front and rear ventilated disc brakes provide maximum braking action in every occasion.
Class-leading safety gear
The GWM Tank 300 is the only off-roader in its class to come standard with a comprehensive active-safety suite, similar to the game-changing systems in the Haval Jolion HEV and Haval H6 HEV.
These include features like adaptive cruise control to reduce driver fatigue in long journeys, along with Hill-Start Assist Control and Hill Descent Control to confidently and safely tackle steep inclines.
Complementing the standard Electronic Stability Program are Secondary Collision Mitigation and Roll Movement Intervention. All these systems, combined with the Automatic Emergency Braking, ensure maximum stability in emergency situations, helping to reduce the risk of road crashes by 67 percent, while cutting the danger of rear-end collisions by 72 percent.
And if the Tank 300 does get involved in a collision, the fuel system automatically cuts off to reduce the risk of a fire. Meanwhile, the automatic door unlock function ensures that you can exit the vehicle quickly.
Adding to the Tank 300’s strong safety credentials is its high-resolution 360-degree camera that offers a full bird’s eye view of the vehicle. This is perfect whether you’re tackling a narrow off-road trail or navigating tricky parking areas.
GWM’s comprehensive approach to vehicle safety means the Tank 300 received 5 out of 5 stars from the Australasian New Car Assessment Programme, proving that the SUV is not just tough enough for the trail, but also robust enough to keep its occupants safe.
“The Tank 300 isn’t just a vehicle,” said Tonette Lee, Marketing & Sales Director of the Luxuriant Automotive Group, Inc., which is the official importer and distributor of GWM vehicles in the country.
“It’s a statement of unyielding capability, boundless adventure, and unwavering luxury,” she added. “It’s tough outside and tender inside. It’s the vehicle that breaks free from limitations and redefines what it means to conquer the road or create one where there is none.”
The 2023 GWM Tank 300 is now available for PHP 2,678,000. All GWM models come with a 5-year/160,000-km warranty, whichever comes first.
Test drive the all-new Tank 300 now at your nearest GWM dealership, located at UN Avenue, Alabang, Cagayan de Oro and General Santos.
