- New 3.0-litre engine on sale in September.
- Increases of 35kW/140Nm over current 2.4-litre.
- Priority for Australasia reflects demand for big diesels.
GWM is inviting "expressions of interest" from New Zealand buyers for its new 3.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine, which will be offered in the Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha ute from September. Australasia is the first global market for the new engine.
The company says the powerplant was developed around "greater towing performance [still 3.5 tonnes], effortless long-distance touring and enhanced off-road capability".
It makes 170kW/620Nm, an increase of 35kW/140Nm over the current 2.4-litre turbo-diesel it will replace in the Cannon Alpha; the diesel will be a first for the Tank 500.
The engine is paired with GWM's 9-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is 7.1 litres per 100km for the Tank and 7.3l/100km for the Canon Alpha, albeit under the lenient NEDC cycle still used in Australia. NZ-specific 3P-WLTP figures will be available when the vehicles go on sale.
GWM says the new engine has undergone more than six months of local engineering and validation across Australia, led by GWM ANZ’s product engineering and vehicle dynamics manager, Rob Trubiani.
The company says Australasia's selection as the first global market to introduce the new engine highlights its "growing importance within GWM's global product strategy".
It cites customer feedback and consistent demand for larger-capacity diesel engines as factors helping drive the development decisions behind the new engine.
Customers interested in receiving updates on model specifications, pricing, launch timing and availability can register their interest via the GWM New Zealand website.
