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The GWM Tank 500 is now available to order in Australia with a diesel engine, with the first customer deliveries of the oil-burning large off-road SUV due from mid-September.
The new 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel replaces the hybrid in local showrooms, though GWM is still advertising stock of the Tank 500 hybrid on its local website. It marks the first time a diesel engine has been offered in the Tank 500 in Australia, though in other markets it's available with a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four.
Available in two grades, the Tank 500 diesel undercuts the carryover Tank 500 Ultra PHEV, which features a petrol plug-in hybrid powertrain. It differs from the PHEV in not only its powertrain but also by offering a new-generation Coffee infotainment operating system, greater towing capacity (up 500kg to 3500kg), and a third row of seating like the outgoing hybrid.
The Tank 500 PHEV will, however, eventually be upgraded to the new infotainment operating system, potentially for model year 2027 (MY27).
The Tank 500 diesel produces less power and torque than the hybrid it replaces (170kW/620Nm vs 255kW/648Nm), but uses less fuel (7.1L/100km vs 8.5L/100km).
GWM Australia says the new powertrain has undergone more than six months of local engineering and validation testing under its lead product dynamics and integration manager, former Holden engineer Rob Trubiani.
For diesel Tank 500s purchased before October 30, 2026, GWM is offering either an additional discount of $2000 or a $2000 fuel card.
| Model | Drive-away pricing |
|---|---|
| 2026 GWM Tank 500 Lux diesel | $65,990 |
| 2026 GWM Tank 500 Vanta diesel | $71,990 |
| 2026 GWM Tank 500 Ultra PHEV | $79,990 |
While all Tank 500s are four-wheel drive and feature locking front, centre and rear differentials, diesel variants have a part-time four-wheel drive system while the PHEV uses a torque-on-demand full-time system.


Diesel variants don't require AdBlue.
| Specifications | Diesel | PHEV |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0L turbo-diesel 4cyl | 2.0L turbo-petrol 4cyl |
| Engine outputs | 170kW + 620Nm | 180kW + 380Nm |
| Electric motor outputs | - | 120kW + 400Nm |
| System outputs | - | 300kW + 750Nm |
| Battery | - | 37.11kWh nickel manganese cobalt |
| Transmission | 9-speed auto | 9-speed hybrid auto |
| Drive type | Part-time four-wheel drive | Full-time four-wheel drive |
| Kerb weight | 2635kg – Lux2705kg – Vanta | 2820kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | TBC | 6.9 seconds |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 7.1L/100km | 2.1L/100km8.4L/100km – low battery charge |
| Energy consumption (claimed) | - | 27.2kWh/100km |
| Electric driving range | - | 120km (NEDC) |
| Max DC charge rate | - | 50kW |
| Fuel tank capacity | 78L – Lux131L – Vanta | 70L |
| Fuel requirement | Diesel | 91-octane regular unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | TBC | 47g/km |
| Payload | 760kg – Lux690kg – Vanta | 610kg |
| Braked towing capacity | 3500kg | 3000kg |
| Gross vehicle mass (GVM) | 3395kg | 3430kg |
| Gross combination mass (GCM) | 6545kg | 6430kg |


| Dimensions | Diesel | PHEV |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5078mm | 5078mm |
| Width | 1934mm | 1934mm |
| Height | 1905mm | 1905mm |
| Wheelbase | 2850mm | 2850mm |
| Ground clearance | 220mm | 213mm |
| Approach angle | 28.5 degrees | 30 degrees |
| Departure angle | 25 degrees | 24 degrees |
| Breakover angle | 25 degrees | 22.5 degrees |
| Cargo capacity | 98L – behind third row795L – third row folded1489L – second and third row folded | 640L – behind second row1400L – second row folded |
GWM backs the Tank 500 with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, with the PHEV's battery covered by a separate eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

The company offers seven years of capped-price servicing. While it hasn't announced diesel service pricing yet, below are service prices for the PHEV:
The GWM Tank 500 has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP based on testing conducted in 2024, though this currently applies only to PHEV and discontinued hybrid variants.
| Category | GWM Tank 500 |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant protection | 85 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 93 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 81 per cent |
| Safety assist | 74 per cent |
Standard safety equipment includes:
There are three members of the Tank 500 lineup.




The Tank 500 Lux diesel comes standard with the following equipment:
The Vanta diesel adds:
Over the Lux diesel, the Ultra PHEV loses the third row of seating and new Coffee OS infotainment operating system but adds:
The Tank 500 is available in Marble White, Crystal Black, Onyx Silver and Dune Gold paint colours, with all bar Marble White costing an additional $595.
All Tank 500s have a black interior as standard, though you can opt for a black/apricot interior in the Vanta if you specify Marble White or Crystal Black as the exterior finish. The Ultra PHEV can also be had with a blue/cream interior.
Research cars in our Showroom, compare your options or let our New Car Specialists do the running around to find you a great deal.
William Stopford is an automotive journalist with a passion for mainstream cars, automotive history and overseas auto markets.


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