It’s not often an auto brand will implement changes in response to customer and media feedback to a new model shortly after it’s launched. Indeed, upgrades are usually reserved for mid-life facelifts or model year updates atthe earliest – and even then, they’re not usually offered to customers who have already taken delivery.
That’s why we were so surprised to hear that GWM Australia is making a number of changes to the Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha following their release in March and May respectively.
The changes centre around upgrades to their controversial driver nannies (including the seemingly pointless bings and bongs required by ANCAP) and the calibration of their 2.0-litre turbo-petrol hybrid powertrains following feedback from customers and media.
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Existing owners the Tank 500 large SUV and Cannon Alpha dual-cab 4×4 ute will be contacted by GWM as part of a service campaign to have these changes made to their vehicles.
CarExpert understands the Tank 300 is also in line for an upgrade, at least to fix its over-eager lane keeping function, but this will follow at a later date following a similar real-world testing and development program in Australia.
According to GWM, the following functions have been changed as part of the update, which will be rolled out to all 2025 production versions of the Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha, and offered to existing customers as part of a software update.
Cannon Alpha & Tank 500 updates:
- DMS (Driver Monitoring System) – Distraction on/off switch + memory (no longer defaults on for every cycle, will retain previous setting)
- DMS – Fatigue alert changed from ‘Please take a break’ to an alert sound and volume lowered
- ELK (Emergency Lane Keeping) – Increased number of local road scenarios to reduce false alerts
- ELK – Visual alert changed to simulation lane flash on graphics
- ELK – Switch off button added on shortcut screen (swipe down from info screen)
- ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) – Reduced impact of intelligent cornering, reducing the likelihood of car slowing down too much while cornering
- ACC – Acceleration increased, allowing vehicle to respond quicker and reducing the gap between vehicles
Cannon Alpha updates:
- Reversing camera – tow hitch guideline added
- Throttle response improved to maker power delivery feel more like stated outputs
- ‘Flywheel effect’ reduced after full or heavy throttle inputs. Rev-hang lowered and regen increased to improve this
- Normal mode – Hybrid mode engagement logic adjusted to address occasional lag during transition from EV to hybrid mode
- Sport mode – Throttle response and engine response sharpened while maintaining smooth gear changes
We had the opportunity to test both the old calibration and new calibration back-to-back on the Cannon Alpha and found the updates transformed the way the vehicle drives at lower speeds.
The throttle was more responsive and the transition between electric mode and hybrid mode was smoother and more seamless.
The ‘sticky throttle’ issue was also eliminated – this was a safety concern we had in situations like trying to cross an intersection and then wanting to stop suddenly.
While the distraction monitoring changes are welcome – they are far less frequent and less intrusive – more work could be done on the lane centring system and how accurate it is.
There were times where even with the software update, the vehicle would drift toward and straddle lane markings. It’s till not as confident as other vehicles in this segment at keeping itself in the centre of the lane.
We were unable to test the ACC changes at the proving ground, but will assess these we get the updated vehicles in for a garage test in the coming weeks.
MORE: Everything GWM Cannon Alpha
MORE: Everything GWM Tank 500
