Big banger 3.0-litre is coming; our region has been chosen as the global launch pad.

GWM’S largest four-wheel-drive models – the platform and technology sharing Cannon Alpha ute and Tank 500 SUV – are adopting the make’s most powerful diesel.

Potentially the new-generation 3.0-litre might even allow for entry of GWM’s largest sports utility, the Tank 700, into this region.

The engine’s availability to New Zealand and Australia was confirmed this morning during a GWM tech conference in Melbourne at which a Tank 700 was on display.

Outputs for the new in line four-cylinder engine have not been shared, but a barometer is the 184kW/600Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 used by the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok.

Currently those biggest diesel in GMW use here is a 2.4-litre four, for which 135kW/480Nm is cited. Some experts are suggesting that engine in larger displacement could make 169kW and 600Nm.

With GWM’s ute corral, the larger engine is just for the Cannon Alpha and not the smaller, and older Cannon, which runs a 120kW/400Nm 2.0-litre.

At today’s conference, GWM chief technology officer Nicole Wu said the new engine is to make its world world premiere in Australia, with a launch event planned for May, 2026.

How long after that it goes on sale is less clear. GWM in April said it might not release the power plant until 2027.

“Our diesel line-up – 2.0-litre turbo, 2.4-litre turbo, and a 3.0-litre turbo coming soon,” Wu told a gathering of media and dealers from Australasia.

“Here is the kicker, our 3.0-litre turbo-diesel Tank and the pick-up model will make their global debut right here in Australia by mid-next year.”

While some other makes are pulling back on diesel, GWM wants to advance; it says there is still strong demand for compression ignition powerplant, pointing to the strong reception Aussies and Kiwis have given the Tank 300 diesel.

The Tank 700 (above) is being considered as super-sized luxury choice. It presently offers in China with a turbocharged V6 petrol plug-in hybrid credited with a combined 385kW/850Nm.

While the 700 is the largest SUV, it might not be the brawniest.

Also during the conference’, GWM hinted at the development of a new plug-in-hybrid off-road platform positioned above its current Hi4-T system.

At present the four-wheel-drive spans three tiers. There is Hi4 for general on-road and some light off-seal capability designated as ‘urban SUV’. Then there are medium tough and outright rugged grades - those respectively badge as Hi4Z ‘general off road’ and Hi4Z ‘strong off road’.

Today it hinted that a fully military-grade ‘Super Off-Road’ is also coming, but gave no hint about what kind of vehicle it might present in. This was shown during a presentation by Richard Zhu, GWM chief engineer for hybrid systems.

On other news from the conference, GWM pledged to overhaul of its parts supply network for the region, with promise it will undertake to deliver 90 percent of spare parts within 24 hours under a new regional logistics plan.

The make is keen to strengthen its after sales support and service capability here; it sees this as being vital to another imperative, to strengthen trust in its brands and boost long-term ownership satisfaction.