GWM Tank 400 4x4 PHEV is ready for adventures

Despite just launching the brand last year, GWM distributor Luxuriant Automotive Group Inc (LAGI) quickly made a name for itself by selling the Haval crossovers, the Cannon pickup truck, the Tank 300 4x4 SUV, and the Ora EV brand which will soon hit the local market.

The company has been busy since last year in making its presence felt in the Philippine automotive industry. However, they could do with another SUV that could slot above (or sit beside) the brawny Tank 300. Well, GWM already has one but it's not yet here in the Philippines.

This is the Tank 400 Hi4-T PHEV and boy does it look badass. With an imposing design that looks like it's ready to take on the wilderness with ease, the GWM Tank 400 is all about the business, and then some. But before we get into the nitty & gritty details, let's talk about its powerplant.

Underneath its armor-like exterior is a turbocharged & electrified powertrain that consists of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that's assisted by an electric motor and a 37 kWh lithium-ternary battery pack. The result is a total system output of 414 PS and 750 Nm of torque. Power is then sent to a 9-speed automatic hybrid transmission and 4WD system with locking differentials. If those figures and setup look familiar, that's because the Tank 400 appears to have the same PHEV powertrain as the Tank 300 PHEV, albeit tuned to make more power.

Not only does this allow the Tank 400 to sip on fuel, but it also gives the SUV the ability to run on pure electric power in certain conditions. With a fully-charged battery, GWM says the Tank 400 can travel up to 105 km based on the CLTC cycle.

Size-wise, the Tank 400 PHEV measures 4985mm long, 1960mm wide, 1900mm tall, and has a 2850mm wheelbase. With an emphasis on going off-road, the vehicle comes with a brawny and rugged exterior and is dominated by flared wheel arches, trapezoidal LED headlights, a boxy rear end, and a swing-out tailgate complete with a spare tire carrier. It also has a ground clearance of 224mm, a water wading depth of up to 800mm, and approach & departure angles of 33 and 30 degrees, accordingly.

Hop inside and the Tank 400's dashboard seems to look similar to the Tank 300. It gets round aircon vents on the side, a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument panel, a wide 16.2-inch touchscreen infotainment, and a three-zone climate control. Despite being billed as a go-anywhere SUV, the Tank comes with plenty of creature comforts and amenities that include; a full leather interior, 3D navigation, Wi-Fi connectivity, a panoramic camera system, keyless remote start, dual wireless charging pads, power-adjustable front seats, and more.

Could the Tank 400 PHEV make sense in the Philippines? And could GWM actually bring it here in the future? Let us know in the comments.