GWM Tank 300 Hooke Trail Edition might be China’s most capable SUV
Words: Andrew Sluys
GWM has unveiled a special edition of the Tank 300, which is designed for extreme off-road and rock crawling.
Named after a mountainous region of China, the biggest change for the Hooke Trail Edition lies in the suspension.
Based on the long wheel base 300L, the double-wishbone front suspension has been replaced with a live-axle configuration.
This live axle features 80mm housing tubes, reinforced control arms, solid tie roads, and a Panhard rod.
These upgrades have reportedly contributed to an increased suspension rigidity figure to the run of 38 per cent.
It also comes with electro-hydraulic power steering, and an electronic anti-roll bar disconnection system.
Where usual special editions go aesthetically heavy, the differences of this Hooke Trail Edition lie more in the off-road hardware.
On the outside, it wears a snorkel intake, and gets a pair of black bumpers at the front and rear of the SUV.
Beneath the bonnet it uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 170kW and 400Nm.
This engine is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a mechanical four-wheel drive system.
Front, rear, and centre locking differentials are also included, plus a two-speed transfer case.
A turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 is also said to be offered with this Tank 300L further down the track.
Despite the fact the Tank 300 has been sold in New Zealand for a few years now, there hasn’t been any announcements surrounding the long-wheel base variant.
Along the same lines, it remains unclear as to whether or not this live axle version will be sold outside of China.
