GWM Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 to Feature Powerful New Diesel Engine
GWM is set to introduce a new 3.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine for the upcoming Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 models, which will deliver more torque than the Ford Ranger V6. This development marks a significant advancement in GWM’s lineup, positioning these models as some of the most powerful four-cylinder diesel vehicles in their respective segments.
The new 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine is expected to make its world-first debut in Australia during the middle of 2026. This was confirmed by GWM at a technical conference in China this week. The engine is designed to produce 170kW of power and an impressive 620Nm of torque, making it one of the most potent options in the market.
During testing in Australia, the engine has shown promising results, with 20Nm more torque compared to the 3.0-litre V6 diesel found in the Ford Ranger, Everest, and Volkswagen Amarok. This places the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 ahead of other four-cylinder diesel models available in the Australian market, including:
- Toyota HiLux and Prado (150kW/500Nm)
- Isuzu D-Max, MU-X, and Mazda BT-50 (140kW/450Nm)
- Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara (150kW/470Nm)
- LDV Terron 9 and MG U9 (163kW/520Nm)
GWM claims that the new engine offers a 20 per cent improvement in acceleration over the current 135kW/480Nm 2.4-litre diesel model, while also achieving a five per cent reduction in fuel consumption. Despite the larger engine size and increased performance, the efficiency gains are a key selling point for the new model.
The Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 3.0-litre diesel will maintain a braked towing capacity of 3500 kilograms, ensuring they remain capable of handling heavy loads. GWM Australia recently announced that local evaluation testing of the new diesel engine has already begun, with a global debut expected in the middle of this year.
Testing includes refining the powertrain across various conditions, such as high-speed freeway driving, assessing towing capabilities, transmission performance, and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). This comprehensive testing ensures the vehicle meets the high standards expected by Australian consumers.
The 3.0-litre diesel engine will replace the 2.4-litre diesel in the Cannon Alpha, while the smaller Cannon and Tank 300 will continue to offer the 2.4-litre option. Additionally, the 3.0-litre diesel will be sold alongside the 2.0-litre turbo petrol-electric plug-in hybrid, with the Tank 500 also featuring a plug-less hybrid version.
More details about the 2026 GWM Cannon Alpha and 2026 GWM Tank 500 3.0-litre diesel will be released closer to the global debut, which is expected to take place in the middle of this year.
