GWM Tank 500 luxury off-road SUV debuts in the UAE

KUALA LUMPUR: Great Wall Motors has recently introduced the Tank 500 in the UAE market. This new Chinese SUV will be a direct rival of the Toyota Land Cruiser in the Middle East region, which has been dominating the segment for a long time. 

During the Tank 500 launch event held in Dubai, Mr. Gautam Arun, Product Director of GWM in the Middle East Region, said "GWM vehicle possesses both urban and off-road attributes, owing to its advanced technology that provides an exceptional balance between performance and comfort.”

The GWM TANK 500 is a luxury off-road SUV based on the TANK Platform. It will be offered in two variants - Signature and Prestige in the UAE, both powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine churning out a maximum power of 353 PS and a peak torque of 500 Nm. The power is sent to the wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission paired with a four-wheel drive system.

The SUV also features specialized off-road configurations, including an electronically controlled mechanical differential lock, and an off-road Creep Mode. These configurations promise practical and safer driving under harsh driving conditions, says the automaker.

Dimensionally, the SUV is 5,070 mm long, 1,934 mm wide, and 1,905 mm tall and carries a wheelbase of 2,850 mm.

In terms of luxury and comfort, the UAE-spec GWM Tank 500 is loaded with top-notch features. Among the key inclusions are - 

• Automatic LED headlamps
• LED tail lights
• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Power-retractable side steps
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment unit
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity
• Nappa leather upholstery
• Panoramic sunroof
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure warning
• Lane-keeping assist
• Lane change assist
• Smart dodge
• Integrated automatic parking assist

Will it come to Malaysia?

Given that GWM introduced the Tank 500 in Thailand a couple of months ago, there is a strong possibility of the SUV’s local arrival.

Also read: GWM Haval Jolion launching soon in Malaysia, here’s what to expect