GWM is going big and introducing a rival to big American pickup trucks like the Ram 1500.
CarExpert understands GWM is evaluating the pickup for Australia.
The as-yet unnamed truck has been teased in a series of shadowy photos ahead of its debut at the 2021 Shanghai motor show, while Autospy.net has also captured photos of it testing in the wild.
Given the GWM Ute undercuts similarly-equipped (if more powerful) rivals like the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger by upwards of $20,000, it stands to reason GWM’s upcoming big pickup could offer a similar saving over American-brand models if it were to come here.
For reference, the Ram 1500 starts at around $80,000 before on-road costs while a Chevrolet Silverado is over $100,000.
Reports from Chinese outlets such as ChinaPEV indicate the full-sized pickup will be powered by a new turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system.
It’ll reportedly feature four-wheel drive with a centre differential lock, and a nine-speed automatic transmission.
GWM has previously confirmed it was developing a turbo 3.0-litre with outputs of 260kW of power and 500Nm of torque.
The pickup is expected to share its body-on-frame Tank architecture with the new Wey Tank 300, which is a smaller, five-seat SUV slightly below the likes of the Haval H9 and Toyota Prado in dimensions.
GWM says Tank-based vehicles will have a basic wading depth of 965mm and competitive approach and departure angles.
The Tank 300 has double-wishbone suspension up front with a multi-link live axle at the rear, and there are available locking front and rear differentials, an off-road creep mode, and, appropriately enough, a tank turn function.
The front-end of the new pickup bears a strong resemblance to the Tank 300, while the rear has handsome vertically-oriented tail lights like most utes albeit linked with a full-width light bar.
Chinese automakers have traditionally stuck to HiLux-sized utes but there’s been increasing interest in the country in full-sized, American-style pickup trucks.
Ford introduced its F-150 Raptor to the Chinese market in 2017 and also offers the truck there in its most lavish Limited trim, while Chevrolet has also offered the Silverado there in recent years.
Chinese automaker Foton also revealed a brazen copy of the Ford F-150 called the Big General.
