At R1 222 900, the Great Wall Motors (GWM) Tank 500 is the most expensive and opulent vehicle, never mind SUV, originating from China to be sold in South Africa. A perception changer The biggest sign yet of the now firmly established Chinese auto industry’s intension of not being seen simply as a value-for-money operation, the second model from GWM’s Tank brand after the 300 is thus another watershed moment for products hailing from the People’s Republic in South Africa. ALSO READ: GWM Tank 500 takes aim at Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest Based on the same body-on-frame chassis as the P500 bakkie, the all-inclusive one derivative only Tank 500 still lacked for little on the specification front, but as with its sibling, has to stack-up against the criticism of its powertrain.
Widely billed as a Toyota Land Cruiser 300-sized rival costing less than a Prado and marginally more than a Ford Everest Platinum, the weeklong stay, including a trip to Gerotek, drew a few interesting conclusions but also questions about the almost literal SUV equivalent of a real tank. Simply put, its massive Proportionally, the 5 078 mm long Tank 500 measures 73 mm longer than a Land Cruiser 300, but with a narrower width and the same 2 850 mm wheelbase. That being said, it still makes for an imposing thing in a – whisper it – American fashion similar to the P500 with extensive use of chrome detailing, a massive grille flanked by a pair of angular LED headlights and the Tank badge that seemi.
