Special edition XSR stands out with additional mud-sorted kit and bespoke body colour.

ENHANCEMENTS to emphasis the type’s off-road hardiness have attached to GWM’s Cannon diesel ute, to create a new flagship.

At $52,490, the Cannon-XSR is cheaper than some other rugged-looking variants from rival brands, but nonetheless is also more expensive than the existing alternates in the Cannon range.

Those presently start from $40,990 for the entry-level Lux and top at $43,990 for the Ultra model. Those are discounted prices, running to end of June.

The XSR - a badging borrowed from Australia, where it dates back three years - runs the same drivetrain as the other Cannons. So a 2.4-litre turbodiesel, making 135kW and 480Nm, married to a nine-speed automatic.

However, it stands out by being a limited edition of the familiar dual cab format, limited to 50 examples.

The variant achieves enhanced off-road capability by adding in an electronic front differential locker, front and rear metal bars, metal sidesteps, a snorkel and running fatter Cooper all-terrain tyres.

The XSR treatment also brings a bespoke front grille, black sports bar, and new alloy wheels. The Stealth Grey colour seen here is exclusive to the type.

GWM NZ says these upgrades deliver genuine off-road performance while giving the ute a tougher, more adventurous appearance.

It says it has delivered the model in time for the country’s largest annual agricultural show, Fieldays at Mystery Creek, near Hamilton, in mid-June.

That event’s primary sponsor is a rival, JAC, which is using the show to debut a plug-in hybrid version of the T9 - the Cannon’s main competitor.

This appears to be the second generation of XSR, with the original of 2023 using the 2.0-litre turbodiesel that made 120kW and 400Nm.