An updated version of GWM’s Ute (aka Cannon) has been revealed at the Shanghai motor show, but its local arm says it isn’t yet confirmed for a local launch.

    The updated Ute, revealed in Luxury trim, features a revised interior and some subtle exterior tweaks.

    Inside, the dashboard has been completely overhauled. There are free-standing 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment screens, while the centre air vents have been moved below the touchscreen.

    Physical switchgear on the centre stack has been reduced, with just a single row of buttons below the touchscreen.

    A new shifter sits on the centre console, and also features in some GWM Tank products. The console is also lined with leatherette trim, while a controller dial sits behind the shifter.

    There’s also a new steering wheel, while GWM says “large storage boxes” have been added to the left and right hand side of the dashboard.

    The interior is topped off with a warm two-tone brown colour scheme.

    External changes are much more subtle, but include a restyled front bumper and grille. The featured example also has a locking hard tonneau cover.

    GWM says it now includes Level 2+ autonomous driving technology, including traffic jam assist, while the vehicle supports over-the-air updates and can be remotely started, locked or unlocked, among other functions.

    The company hasn’t confirmed any changes to the powertrains, which in China continue to comprise 2.0-litre turbo-diesel and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engines, both mated with a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission.

    The GWM Ute was revealed in 2020 and arrived locally in 2021 to replace the Steed.

    The range was recently bolstered with new cab-chassis variants, while GWM is also set to introduce a larger, more luxurious ute called the Shanhai Cannon to sit above it.

    An even larger King Kong Cannon is also under evaluation, while GWM Australia says the wild six-wheeler CyberPickup concept has caught its eye.

    “While we can confirm that it’s intended for full production, we’ll need to see whether it’s viable for Australia. The potential for the large pickup segment is something that we’re very aware of so let’s watch this space,” said a company spokesperson.

    MORE: Everything GWM Ute

    William Stopford

    William Stopford is an automotive journalist based in Brisbane, Australia. William is a Business/Journalism graduate from the Queensland University of Technology who loves to travel, briefly lived in the US, and has a particular interest in the American car industry.

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