- GWM will soon need both hands to count the number of its models that have conquered the Beer O'Clock hill.
- The legendary Australian hill is widely considered one of the most challenging off-road feats in the country.
- Five GWM models have now made it up the hill, with the Tank 300 PHEV even doing it on highway tyres.
After shaking up the off-road scene last year with the Cannon Alpha PHEV ute conquering the legendary Beer O'Clock hill in Australia, widely considered one of the country's most punishing and extreme off-road climbs, GWM has revealed that two more of its vehicles have successfully completed the legendary hill climb, but this time in straight production form, without the Mickey Thompson all-terrain tyres that previous models have used.
The most recent attempts involved the Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV and the Tank 500 Hi4-T PHEV blitzing up the challenging hill, following previous successful climbs by the Cannon XSR, the previously mentioned Cannon Alpha Hi4-T PHEV, and the Tank 300 Diesel, taking GMW's tally of Beer O'Clock conquering vehicles to an impressive total of five.
GWM says that, while the Cannon Alpha and Tank 300 Diesel were fitted with Mickey Thompson all-terrain tyres, the Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV completed the ascent in full production specification using standard highway tyres, while every vehicle completed the climb without mechanical modifications, calibration changes, or software upgrades, and are the same vehicles customers can drive off the lot.
The company says the feat highlighted its Hi4-T electrified off-road architecture, which has powered three of the five successful models. The dedicated plug-in hybrid system is specifically designed for off-road use, and integrates electrification with traditional 4x4 mechanical components, including mechanical linkages, locking differentials and a low-range transfer case.
"Beer O’Clock Hill is becoming one of the toughest proving grounds for any off-road vehicle in Australia. Having no less than five vehicles across the range conquering Beer O’Clock Hill is something we are incredibly proud of, but certainly not surprised,” said Steve Maciver, head of marketing and communications for GWM Australia & New Zealand.
"The latest Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV climbing the hill on highway tyres speaks volumes about the engineering behind the Hi4-T system. This is electrification is designed for real off-road performance, delivering instant torque, precise traction and relentless climbing ability.
"New Energy Vehicles should enhance capability, not limit it, and what we have demonstrated is that GWM’s technology delivers both efficiency and serious off-road performance, without compromise."
GWM launched the Tank 300 in New Zealand in hybrid guise in 2023, adding a diesel option in early 2025, before unleashing the plug-in hybrid Hi4-T PHEV version here this month.
Like the larger Tank 500 Hi4-T PHEV and Cannon Alpha ute Hi4-T PHEV, the Tank 300 Hi4-T uses GWM’s aforementioned Hi4-T (Hybrid Intelligent 4WD Technology) system that pairs a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with a 120kW electric motor for a combined output of 300kW of power and 750Nm of torque.
A 37.1kWh lithium-ion battery provides an electric-only range of up to 105km when measured on the NEDC cycle (89km WLTP), and an average combined fuel economy figure of 1.9L/100km. The Tank 300 Hi4-T also features 50kW DC fast-charging and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality with a 6kW discharge capacity, enabling the use of the car's battery to power external electronic devices.
Cameron Thomas, Country Manager New Zealand, said GWM's Beer O’Clock Hill achievements also prove the new Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV’s readiness for New Zealand's diverse terrain.
"These milestones show that GWM vehicles aren’t just built to perform, they’re built to excel in the dynamic and challenging conditions that make New Zealand driving unique," he said.
"We’re ready for every adventure our customers take on."
