TANK 500 Is For Those Who Can’t Wait For The Land Cruiser
No car is worth waiting that long
The new generation Toyota Land Cruiser is perhaps one of the greatest off-road-oriented SUVs that money can buy but with a four-year waiting list, you might as well be looking at other options as there could be a newer version by the time you receive yours. Speaking of options, those in China can consider getting the Great Wall Motors TANK 500.
First shown at the Chengdu Motor Show 2021 in September, the TANK 500 is the latest offering from Great Wall Motors’ global high-end off-road marque called TANK. In its backyard, the SUV is available in three variants, with prices ranging from 335,000 to 395,000 yuan (RM221,120 to RM260,730).
Regardless of the chosen variant, the TANK 500 is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine with 354 PS and 500 Nm of torque on tap – not too shabby considering the Land Cruiser gets 415 PS and 650 Nm from an all-new 3.5-litre V6 mill with a pair of turbochargers.
Sending all that power to all four wheels is a nine-speed automatic gearbox, which is assisted by a low-range transfer case and locking differentials at the front, centre and rear. On paper, it can complete the 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.3 seconds and achieve a fuel consumption of 10.79 litres per 100 km.
Looks-wise, the TANK 500 is not exactly what we would call a looker but its design does exude a sense of toughness, with some premium touches such as chrome finishers and the Maybach-esque two-tone paintjob to further entice buyers. Sportier variants come with a tailgate-mounted spare tyre carrier, giving it a more rugged appearance.
In terms of dimensions, the SUV measures 4,878 mm long, 1,934 mm wide and 1,905 mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,850 mm. This puts it in the same league as the 300-series Land Cruiser, which is just slightly larger in size. A 29.6-degree approach angle, 24-degree departure angle, a ground clearance of 224 mm and other functions such as ‘tank u-turn’ and ‘creep’ mode contribute to its off-road capabilities.
Going inside, the TANK 500 is not short of opulence, as the steering wheel and upper half of the dashboard are wrapped in premium dark blue leather. Contrasting this shade are the dark brown wood inlays and chrome trim, both applied generously on the dashboard, centre console and door panels. Look closely and you’ll spot a rather intricate-looking gear knob design.
Standard creature comforts include a 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, as well as the usual suite of driver assistance systems such as Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping, Road Traffic Sign Recognition, Adaptive Cruise Control and a 360-degree camera.
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