GWM Tank 500 Hi-4 T officially recognized as a PHEV by DOE

Is GWM Philippines preparing to launch the Tank 500 Hi-4 T plug-in hybrid?

Earlier this year, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) released homologation documents for the GWM Tank 500 Hi-4 T. This only means the full-size, plug-in hybrid, frame-based SUV from GWM could make its Philippine debut soon.

Based on what the LTO approved a few months ago, the PH-spec Tank 500 Hi-4 T PHEV will come with a 1998cc engine, which translates to a 2.0L displacement and is assisted by electric motors. It will also have a lithium ternary battery pack, which signifies the SUV's ability to travel on electric power over certain distances. In terms of size, the plug-in hybrid SUV is listed to measure 5078mm long, 1905mm wide, 1934mm tall, and will have a 2850mm wheelbase.

With the GWM Tank 500 Hi-4-T PHEV already approved by the LTO, it may only be a matter of time before the plug-in hybrid SUV eventually makes its Philippine debut. Fast forward several months, and the Department of Energy (DOE) has officially recognized the upcoming GWM SUV as a plug-in hybrid.

Based on a new listing the DOE recently released, the Tank 500 Hi-4 T is classified as a PHEV. It also gets the same dimensions as the model that appeared on the LTO's website not too long ago. In addition, the DOE approval lists the Tank 500 Hi-4 T with 120 kW (or 163 PS) of electric power and is powered by a 25.7 kWh battery pack.

Other details about the yet-to-be-launched plug-in hybrid SUV are not yet available. But like what other markets get, the electrified SUV will most likely have a combined system output of 635 kW or 863 PS and 1,195 Nm of torque. It can also sprint from 0 – 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and has a total system range of nearly 1,100 km based on the WLTC cycle.

With PHEVs continuing to become more popular than ever, GWM Philippines distributor Luxuriant Automotive Group Inc. (LAGI) could decide to join the plug-in hybrid market with vehicles such as the Tank 500.