WITH Auto Shanghai 2025 considered as one of the leading autoshows for future mobility and trends, global car makers are using the platform to showcase their latest offerings and concepts.
Major Chinese auto brand, Great Wall Motor (GWM), introduced an array of its newest vehicles packed with stunning technologies and cutting-edge styling.
For us Malaysians, the models that easily drew our attention were the updated Tank 300 off-roader and the Wey 80 luxury multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).
The popular Tank 300 now on sale in Malaysia has been enhanced in China with a hybrid powertrain which sees it adding the HI4-T initials (Hybrid Intelligent 4WD Tank) to its nomenclature.
This means that, while the Tank 300 still retains its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 227PS and 387Nm of torque, the rugged vehicle now combines it with an electric motor for a total system output of 350PS.
The addition of the hybrid powertrain – known as Hi4-T(ank) – is specifically designed to work with a 4WD system and features a smaller battery pack to accommodate space limitations.
This setup enables the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100kph in approximately 7.9 seconds.
The Hi4-T system is also found in other models within the Tank lineup, including the Tank 400, 500, and 700.
Adding to the list of changes are colour-matched door handles, including front and rear wheel fenders.
While the grille gets chrome inserts, it’s piano black for the bumper – all while rolling on newly styled 18-inch wheels.
The cabin also gets refreshed with a larger 14.6-inch floating-style infotainment touchscreen that uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor for the brand’s “Coffee OS 3.0” operating system.
Furthermore, the interior now features a flat-bottomed steering wheel, dual 50-watt wireless phone chargers, a 12-speaker audio system with active noise cancellation and a restyled dashboard design.
This means that the gear selector, found in the legacy model, is now a stalk and has been relocated to the right side of the steering wheel.
Meanwhile, the drive mode dial is no longer positioned on the centre tunnel, and has been transformed into a row of toggle switches on the lower section of the dashboard for better visibility and ergonomics.
To showcase the brand’s ability to provide luxury to those with deeper pockets is the Wey 80 (Gaoshan in China) which has been earmarked for entry into the Malaysian market.
Being GWM’s luxury arm, plans are not only afoot to bring this MPV into the country, but to also have it assembled locally in Pegoh, Melaka by EP Manufacturing Bhd (EPMB).
Doing so will mark Wey’s first overseas production outside of China while seeking to extend its global reach, particularly to the Asean market.
With a wheelbase of 3,085mm, the Wey 80 measures 5,045mm in length, 1,960mm in width, and 1,900mm in height, allowing this MPV to fit up to seven occupants depending on configuration.
Powering the wheels is the company’s Hi4 Performance plug-in hybrid system – an up-tuned version of the standard HI4 hybrid system that’s found in the Haval Xiaoloong Max, Haval 7 and Haval Menglong.
Propulsion now comes from the combined efforts of a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine and two electric motors – one for the front and another for the rear axle.
This setup essentially gives the MPV, which typically drives the front wheels, the added benefit of all-wheel-drive (AWD) capability.
With a total system output of 487PS and 762Nm of torque, pulling away from standstill now takes an effortless 5.7 seconds to reach 100kph.
Additionally, it also comes with a 37.96kWh lithium-ion battery that will help add 140km (CLTC) of pure-electric range.
Inside, the cabin gets premium leather upholstery, zero gravity second-row seats, fold-out tables, tri-zone climate controls, panoramic sunroof and a 1,600W Harman Kardon 16-speaker sound system.
A 12.5-litre refrigerator (0 to 50 degrees Celsius) is also included along with dual 15.6-inch infotainment displays, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 26-inch head-up display (HUD).
At the rear, a massive 17.6-inch ceiling-mounted entertainment screen exists solely for the entertainment of its passengers, while soundproof glass and privacy sunshades add comfort.
Lastly, notable safety equipment includes seven airbags, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), 360-degree camera system, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control (TC), among others.
