Haval Big Dog and Tank 300 prototypes arrive in Australia for evaluation

Plans for Great Wall Motors to import the Haval Big Dog and Tank 300, its medium-size crossover and a large off-road SUV, have firmed considerably after a pair of prototypes arrived on local soil.

The brand revealed two left-hand drive pilot vehicles at a press event in Melbourne this week, offering our first in-the-metal look at the pair.

GWM's executive general manager, Steve Maciver, said business cases are well underway on both vehicles after completing local focus group research, with right-hand drive versions available within 12 months if their business cases are approved.

UPDATE, December 2022: GWM Tank 300 now on sale in Australia!

The new GWM Tank 300 Hybrid is now on sale in Australia, with a starting price of $55,990. It's not cheap, but you get a lot of kit. Hit the link below for details.

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The Haval Big Dog

"Because of the way the company's structured," Maciver said. "If [GWM Group] chairman [Jack] Wey decides making the Tank 300 and Big Dog into right-hand drive considerations is important for global growth, he'll make that happen."

It's no secret GWM is hoping to expand its presence here. It says a competitive market like Australia will compare well with America, and play the lead for other right-hand-drive markets worldwide.

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The Haval Big Dog

As a 4.62m-long crossover with off-road inspired styling, the Haval Big Dog compares with rivals like the Jeep Cherokee within the medium SUV segment. It employs a 155kW and 325Nm 2.0-litre transverse petrol engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Riding on a 2738mm wheelbase and offering 200mm of ground clearance, the Big Dog is rated to tow 2000kg and activates all-wheel drive through a fifth-generation BorgWarner Haldex centre differential.

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The Haval Big Dog

There's no indication of pricing or standard specification yet. However, the prototype wore features like leather seating, a drive mode selector, a wireless charging pad, distance cruise control and a digital instrument cluster.

And while Maciver maintains both cars are currently in with an equal chance for a green light, the Tank 300 would also require launching the standalone brand under the GWM umbrella to make way for the V6-hybrid powered 700 as well.

The 300's inclusion would inject a more serious off-road SUV into GWM's sales yard to rival a Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X or Mitsubishi Pajero (while stocks last) and Pajero Sport. Its Cannon-based ladder chassis Tank is rated to tow 3000kg.

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The Haval Tank 300

The prototype 300 on display also had dual-locking differentials to further back up its off-road character. With 224mm of ground clearance on a 2750mm wheelbase, the Tank 300 also offers a 33-degree approach angle and 34-degree departure angle.

Although it packs a longitudinal 2.0-litre in-line petrol turbocharged engine matched to a ZF eight-speed transmission, GWM says a diesel engine is under development with hopes to out-muscle the 167kW/367Nm petrol engine.

We also understand names of both cars could change. While the Big Dog and Tank might seem to have been devised as part of a tongue-in-cheek directive from global headquarters to attract attention, the Haval H6 is based on the blunderingly named 'Lemon' platform – either way, new nomenclature is on the table.

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The Haval Tank 300

The Cannon Ute is known as the Poer in China, for example, where the Tank brand also sits upmarket of Haval products. Things could take a similar position here, where the most expensive GWM product remains the H6 Ultra AWD at $45,990 drive-away.

GWM will reveal more information after further evaluation of feedback, which will include our upcoming press drive.

In the meantime, let us know what you think of either car in the comments below.