2024 GWM Tank 500 spotted in Australia again, one step closer to showrooms

China’s Toyota Prado rival is firming for an Australian launch later this year, as testing of right-hand-drive examples continues on local roads.

The GWM Tank 500 – a Toyota LandCruiser Prado competitor from China – is one step closer to Australian showrooms after being photographed on local roads for the second time in three months.

Images sent to Drive by an eagle-eyed reader show the right-hand-drive Tank 500 being driven in Sydney’s south-west but on Victorian number plates – just like the example snapped in June.

This example of the GWM SUV is wearing little to no camouflage and different registration to the previously-spied example, suggesting the Chinese car-maker’s local division is testing multiple vehicles in Australia.

Although not seen in the images, this test vehicle was wearing hybrid badges.

GWM – previously known as Great Wall Motors – has previously said the Tank 500 is on its wish-list for Australia and could sit above the smaller, recently-launched Tank 300 in its local model line-up.

Measuring 4878mm long, 1934mm wide and 1905mm tall, the GWM Tank 500 is slightly shorter bumper to bumper, and narrower than the upcoming new-generation Toyota LandCruiser Prado, but sits higher.

In China, the GWM Tank 500 is available with up to seven seats and a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine with mild-hybrid assistance – producing 265kW and 500Nm, and mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with a part-time four-wheel-drive system.

Also available is a conventional hybrid 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (with 225kW).

Drive understands the Tank 500 could borrow the GWM Ute’s 120kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine is also an option – or a larger 2.4-litre diesel engine with 135kW and 480Nm.

A GWM Tank 500 spotted in Sydney in June 2023

While the new LandCruiser Prado’s carry-over 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine quotes the same torque output as the Tank 500’s twin-turbo V6 petrol, the Toyota has 115kW less than the GWM.

The LandCruiser Prado will likely be one of the Tank 500’s main rivals, though the Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X could also be targets for the Chinese SUV.

The Tank 500 is yet to be officially confirmed for Australian showrooms, though in February a GWM spokesperson told Drive it was under serious consideration for its local line-up.

“The Tank 500 is under consideration but is not confirmed at this stage for this market,” a GWM spokesman told Drive.

“However, given that we have an example here under evaluation, it shows you how seriously we are considering it for Australia.

“GWM wants to offer a broad range of cars to a broad range of customers – across a range of price points.

“We know Australian families have a passion for the great outdoors and for four-wheel-drives and SUVs, and we think the Tank 500 offers a compelling proposition in its segment.”

If you spot something interesting on Australian roads, please email us at askdrive@drive.com.au.

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