Plug-in hybrid 500 in the neighbourhood from late this year.

GREAT Wall Motors’ plug-in hybrid electric vehicle aspiration has upsized, with announcement its largest vehicle in this region now has the technology.

So far, GWM has confirmed availability in Australia only for the Tank 500 with the brand’s Hi4-T hybrid four-wheel-drive architecture.

But it’s rare when what happens there doesn’t also subsequently roll into New Zealand, so potentially more information about when the electrified option for China’s Landcruiser 300-lookalike comes here will release soon.

The new version of a model that currently sells with a mild hybrid drivetrain for $74,990 and upward is cited for a ‘last quarter’ release across the Tasman.

It’s set to become GWM’s fourth PHEV this year, following two versions of the H6 sports utility - a GT already selling here and less-powerful, more thrift-minded versions incoming - plus the Cannon Alpha large one-tonne ute.

The Hi4-T system pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 120kW electric motor, delivering a combined 300kW and 750Nm through a nine-speed hybrid automatic transmission.

GWM claims the Tank 500 accelerates from 0–100 kmh in 6.9 seconds.

Economy and emissions data will be of greater significance, and that’s where it gets tricky.

The provenance of consumption, emissions and electric range figures so far cited should not be easily accepted in NZ, as everything is from using the NEDC scale that is treated with distain by regulators here, who find the WLTP measurement to be far closer to offering a real world result.

Because it is regionally based in Australia - where NEDC is still accepted - and despite acknowledging the NZ situation, GWM only sends out figures to that decried scale.

According to GWM, the model’s 37.1kWh lithium battery can provide up to 120km of electric-only range and an overall range of around 950km. They also say it will returning combined fuel consumption of 2.1L/100km.

Charging options include 50kW DC fast charging – bringing the battery from 30 to 80 percent in about 24 minutes – or approximately 6.5 hours on an AC home charger.

The Tank also supports Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, supplying up to 6kW to external equipment.

Information about this Tank’s hardware sounds positive. The Hi4-T has mechanical torque-on-demand 4WD and up to three differential locks.

Drivers can select from 11 driving modes, while an off-road display provides data on gradient, tilt and differential lock status.

Ground clearance is 213mm - so 7mm less than a Subaru Forester - but approach, break over and departure angles of 30, 22.5 and 24 degrees respectively are more in keeping with a tough off-roader. The wading depth is 800mm and braked towing capacity is listed at 3000kg braked.

Whereas the Tank 500 can seat seven across three rows in other configurations, the plug-in hybrid layout - specifically the size of the battery - downgrades this one to being a five person ride.

GWM says second row passengers will benefit from decent room and also have the luxuries of heating, ventilation, massage functions and a dedicated 7-inch control screen.

Up front, a 14.6-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard, alongside a 7-inch driver’s screen and three-zone climate control.

Safety features include seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning, 360-degree camera, and front and rear parking sensors.