GWM Unleashes Its Most Powerful Diesel Yet, and Kiwis Are One of The First in Line

29 July, 2026

New Zealand and Australia will be the first markets in the world to receive GWM’s muscular new 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine, with order books now open ahead of a September launch in the Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha.

The engine produces 170kW and 620Nm, a jump of 35kW and 140Nm over the current 2.4-litre unit it replaces. GWM says it is the largest four-cylinder turbo diesel currently offered in the segment, and the numbers back that claim up. It out-torques rivals such as the Toyota HiLux and LandCruiser Prado, the Isuzu D-Max and MU-X, and even edges past Ford’s 3.0-litre V6 in the Ranger and Everest on torque, though the Ford still holds the edge on outright power.

Buyers benefit in more practical ways too. Braked towing capacity remains at a solid 3.5 tonnes, while fuel economy is rated at 7.1 litres per 100km for the Tank 500 and 7.3 for the Cannon Alpha, a notable improvement on the outgoing engine. The new diesel is paired exclusively with GWM’s nine-speed automatic transmission. For the Cannon Alpha, it is a straightforward upgrade, while for the Tank 500 it marks the SUV’s first ever diesel option, which will also be offered with seven seats.

GWM has not rushed the engine to market. It has undergone more than six months of local testing and validation in Australia, overseen by product engineering and vehicle dynamics manager Rob Trubiani. The company points to strong regional demand for larger capacity diesels as the driving force behind prioritising Australasia over other global markets.

Full pricing and specification details will be confirmed closer to launch. In the meantime, those keen on securing early access to New Zealand’s newest diesel heavyweight can register their interest directly below.