2026 GWM Tank 500 PHEV can do up to 1,100 km; comes with night vision
GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T, Hi4-Z plug-in hybrid debut with 2.0L electrified turbo engines
GWM's answer to the likes of the Toyota Land Cruiser and Nissan Patrol just got a major upgrade for the 2026 model year. This is the new GWM Tank 500, which has undergone a thorough upgrade in terms of technology and powertrain.
Starting with the most significant changes first, the Tank 500 receives an enhanced electrified plug-in hybrid powertrain lineup. First is the Tank 500 Hi4-T variant, which is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged inline-four that's assisted by an electric motor and a high-capacity battery pack. It's mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission and makes a combined output of 414 PS and 750 Nm of torque.
It also has a 37.1 kWh lithium ternary battery pack, which provides an all-electric range of up to 100 km. Thanks to the electrified powertrain, GWM claims the Tank 500 Hi4-T can sprint from 0 – 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. As far as total range is concerned, GWM says the Tank 500 Hi4-T can cover up to 900 km before needing to refuel or recharge.
Up next is the more powerful Tank 500 Hi4-Z version, which also gets a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine. However, this one comes with a pair of electric motors and an even bigger lithium ternary battery pack that's rated at 59.05 kWh. The result is a total system output of 863 PS and a whopping 1,195 Nm of torque. From a standstill, the Tank 500 Hi4-Z can reach 100 km/h in as little as 4.3 seconds and has a combined range of nearly 1,100 km. Both the Hi4-T and Hi4-Z versions also support a vehicle-to-load (V2L) system, which is great for camping or powering up devices during a blackout.
Meanwhile, those who still prefer pure internal combustion can still go for the 3.0L turbocharged V6 that makes 360 PS with 500 Nm of torque and is paired with a 9-speed automatic gearbox.
Hop inside, and the upgraded Tank 500 also gets some neat upgrades in its cabin. Gone is the gear selector on the center console as GWM opted for a new electronic column shifter. There are also dual 50W charging pads and a 50W refrigerator that can cool or heat items between -6 degrees to 50 degrees Celsius. Beyond that, the 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and the 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment have been carried over.
What's new, however, is the new Coffee OS 3 that powers the onboard infotainment system. Besides offering plenty of in-car features like the 17.3-inch rear entertainment screen, the OS also manages some of the vehicle's safety systems. These include a high-resolution heads-up display (HUD), a digital rearview mirror, and Coffee GPT, which serves as the vehicle's onboard AI assistant.
Perhaps one of the niftiest features of the new Tank 500 is night-vision capability. That's right, the electrified SUV comes with the Coffee Night Vision system, which uses infrared to identify vehicles as far as 120 meters. It can also detect pedestrians as far as 90 meters, which is great when you have to navigate through dimly-lit areas. GWM also says the system can function through any kind of weather, like rain, snow, and dust.
With the 2026 Tank 500 now benefitting from new and upgraded technologies, could GWM Philippines possibly bring its flagship PHEV to the country in the future?
