2026 WEY Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV
By Lorenzo Bianchi December 9, 2025
Hybrid system pairs a 2.0-litre turbo engine with a 9-speed hybrid transmission.
Retains full mechanical four-wheel drive with low-range capability.
Offers towing, V2L functionality, and multi-mode hybrid operation for varied conditions.
Design and Proportions: A Familiar Shape with New Purpose
The Tank 300 has always carried a square-shouldered, upright stance, and nothing in the new PHEV variant shifts that identity. Broad wheel arches sit confidently above a relatively short wheelbase, giving it a planted posture that works both on the road and out in rougher terrain. The press material focuses on engineering rather than styling, but the known form likely remains intact [Inference]. It is the lineage of the Tank family—angular sheet metal, a tall beltline, and a hint of retro utility—that gives the model its presence.
What changes here is not the silhouette but the significance of it. With the Hi4-T hybrid layout underneath, the body now houses a more complex driveline engineered for electric assistance without compromising the rugged proportions that define the model.
Performance and Powertrain: Hybrid Muscle with Real Off-Road Hardware
At the centre of the 2026 Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV is a 2.0-litre turbocharged hybrid engine paired with a 9-speed Hybrid Automatic Transmission (9HAT). The combination delivers strong low-end torque and smoother on-road performance, according to GWM’s announcement. The hybrid system is built on the brand’s Hi4-T platform, already used in the Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha.
The important distinction lies in its architecture: this is not a soft-roader setup. The Hi4-T retains a true mechanical 4x4 system, complete with a low-range transfer case and locking differentials. It means the electrification has not undermined the rugged intent of the original model. GWM is explicit that torque control has been engineered for sand, mud, steep climbs, and rocky trails, areas where hybrid systems often fall short.
Towing capacity is rated up to 3,000 kg, giving it real touring capability, and the inclusion of Vehicle-to-Load functionality allows the SUV to power tools, equipment or campsite accessories directly from its battery system.
Hybrid Functionality: Multi-Mode Drive for Mixed Terrain
The Tank 300 Hi4-T can operate in electric, hybrid or petrol-only modes. The system shifts according to load, terrain and driver demand, operating quietly during daily commuting but delivering controlled torque when conditions become demanding.
This drivetrain strategy mirrors the application seen in the Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha, the latter notable for becoming the first PHEV to reach the top of Beer O’Clock Hill—an achievement GWM references to underline capability rather than efficiency alone. Extending this architecture to the Tank 300 broadens the brand’s electrified reach across more price points and body styles.
Market Positioning and Segment Context
GWM confirms a Q1 2026 arrival for Australia, with specifications, grades and pricing to follow early in the year. Its introduction expands the hybrid offerings within GWM’s off-road portfolio, which now spans petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.
Among mid-size off-road SUVs, the Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV occupies a unique position: a body-on-frame-style off-roader with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, full mechanical 4WD, and meaningful towing ability. Rivals in the segment tend to separate electrification from genuine off-road hardware, making this model somewhat unusual.
Expressions of interest are already open, suggesting the brand anticipates strong pull from buyers looking for capability with lower running costs.