Great Wall Motors is serious about the off-road ability of its new Tank SUVs, partnering with an off-road specialist on an even more rugged version.
The Chinese automaker worked with Yunliang 4×4 to develop a version of the new Tank 300, a large body-on-frame SUV.
Yunliang 4×4 produced 300 examples of the Tank Ranger, and was tasked with marketing the modified SUV.
Changes include a modified suspension with adjustable nitrogen shock absorbers, plus a snorkel, restyled front bumper with winch, and BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A 265/70 R17 tyres.
Launched on Chinese social media, all 300 vehicles were reportedly sold out in just three minutes.
That’s despite a substantial $7290 premium over the flagship Tank 300 Conqueror, with the Ranger ringing up at 248,800 yuan (A$51,837).
Standard equipment, as on the Conqueror, includes heated and ventilated front seats, a surround-view camera, and dual 12.3-inch screens.
Yunliang 4×4 was founded in 2002 and has more than 200 stores throughout China, and also sells products by companies like Australian firm ARB.
The Ranger, like the rest of the Tank 300 range, is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 167kW of power and 387Nm of torque, though a diesel is reportedly in the works.
The petrol four is mated to a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission, with the Tank 300 boasting a 0-100km/h time of 9.5 seconds.
Suspension is double-wishbone up front with a multi-link live axle at the rear, and there are available locking front and rear differentials, low-range gearing, an off-road creep mode, and, appropriately enough, a tank turn function.
In stock guise, it measures 4760mm long, 1930mm wide and 1927mm tall on a 2750mm wheelbase, with 224mm of ground clearance.
That makes it 65mm shorter than a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport but 115mm wider and 92mm taller, and with 6mm more ground clearance.
GWM Australia says the Tank 300 has been part of a focus group here, and has presented the business case to sell it here to GWM HQ in Baoding.
It’s worth pointing out that GWM has brought left-hand drive Tank 300 vehicles to Australia, for promotional and testing purposes.
Tank 400 
Tank 500 
Tank 700 
Tank 800
The Tank 300 was the first model that Great Wall Motors introduced from its Tank brand.
Debuting under the company’s premium Wey brand, Great Wall Motors subsequently established the Tank brand.
The next production model will be the 500, with even more aggressive-looking 400 and 700 models previewed in concept form plus a luxurious 800 flagship.
