WHAT IS IT?
We know GWM – it’s been around for a while and has improved its vehicles at an exponential rate. The Tank 300 is the Jeep lookalike in the range; it’s a real 4x4; and it garners a lot of attention on the road.
WHY THIS?
The Tank 300 is undeniably handsome and rugged, as well as affordable, and it comes with a low-range transfer case and multiple diff locks. That’s impressive. And it’s finally available in diesel!
OUTSIDE
Carved from a block of metal. Forged in fire. Hewn from… okay, not really, but it looks solid enough to have been. One glance at the Tank 300 and it’s clear that that when the Tank 300 was first sketched, the designer had photos on his wall of Jeep Wranglers and Merc G-Classes, and probably the odd British car too. Whether you call it homage or imitation, the result is a bold, boxy 4x4 that turns heads and sparks the kind of parking-lot conversations you don’t always have time for.
INSIDE
The Tank 300 is a big car, so its understandably spacious and comfortable – although the boot could be bigger. At 400 litres, the luggage space is decent and unsurprisingly comparable to that of a Mercedes G-Class (454 litres), but it isn’t enough for an expedition. Roof racks would fix that.
The cabin also seems “inspired” by that of the G-Class, which is brilliant for the occupants. Obviously, it doesn’t reach the same levels of opulence, but it is jam-packed with kit, the seats are beautiful and there is a lovely balance between aesthetics and functionality.
THE DRIVE
The Tank 300 first came to SA with a turbocharged two-litre petrol engine and a two-litre petrol-electric HEV (hybrid), so it has been crying out for this new model with its 2.4l turbodiesel that produces 135kW/480Nm. Amazingly, the diesel is now the cheapest model in the range. Both diesel models come with a nine-speed auto transmission that is unbelievably smooth, and a full 4x4 drivetrain.
You can feel that this is a ladder-frame vehicle when you drive it, but that actually adds to the character, reminding you that you’re in a capable 4x4 and not a poser. That sense is reinforced by the all-terrain tyres on the 17-inch or 18-inch wheels (model dependent), which look the part but also make the best use of the 4x4 system, which itself has seven drive modes for varying conditions.
Where the quality of the drive does waver, though, is the lag between when you press the accelerator and when the car begins to move – it needs to be addressed and hopefully a software update will do so. Other than that, the car is hard to fault on-road or off-road. Even the fuel consumption is good at a claimed 7.7l/100km.
FINAL WORD
Car journalists drive many cars, and often the most telling part of the test is when giving the vehicle back. In this case, I didn’t want to and that says it all.
GO GET IT
The GWM Tank 300 2.4TD Super Luxury 4x4 is priced at R699 900, while the Tank 300 2.4TD Ultra Luxury 4x4 comes in at R739 900. Prices include a stellar seven-year/200 000 km warranty and seven-year/75 000 km service plan. Visit www.gwm.co.za for more info.
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