Original source (on modern site)
The GWM Cannon Alpha is bigger than a Ford Ranger - but smaller than an F-150 - with a choice of diesel-only or petrol-hybrid power.
The 2024 GWM Cannon Alpha ute will be priced from $51,990 drive-away - or $64,990 for the top-of-the-range hybrid version - when it arrives in Australian showrooms in the coming weeks.
The Cannon Alpha is larger than a regular GWM Ute - as well as a Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max - but is smaller than full-sized US pick-ups from Ford, Chevrolet, Ram and Toyota.
GWM's flagship pick-up is the first ute in Australia to offer the option of a 'full hybrid' drivetrain, which can power the wheels on electric power alone.
The Toyota HiLux 2.8-litre diesel and Ram 1500 V8 are available with mild-hybrid technology, but these systems can only use the electric motor to assist the engine, and cannot spin the wheels on electric power without burning fuel.
Three model grades are available - two diesel specifications, Lux and Ultra, and a top-of-the-range Ultra hybrid - priced from $51,990, $57,990 and $64,990 drive-away.
It is more expensive than a standard GWM Ute - which is priced from $38,990 to $52,990 drive-away with 4WD - but the base diesel model is cheaper (in NSW) than the most affordable 4x4 Ford Ranger XL, which costs about $57,000 drive-away with steel wheels and cloth seats.
Diesel variants use a new 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine with 135kW and 480Nm, matched with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a torque-on-demand four-wheel-drive system.
It is larger than the 120kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel in the regular, smaller GWM Ute, but the Alpha is about 400kg heavier - at 2432kg tare, according to Australian government documents.
Fuel consumption is a claimed 8.9L/100km in mixed driving, while there are Standard, Sport and Eco modes which send power to the wheels as the car sees fit, plus dedicated 4WD high and low-range modes.
Meanwhile the hybrid combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and the same nine-speed auto and 4WD system for combined outputs of 255kW and 648Nm.
Claimed fuel consumption is 9.8L/100km for the hybrid. Payload is quoted as 821kg for the Lux diesel, 760kg for the Ultra diesel and 735kg for the Ultra hybrid, while the braked towing capacity is 3500kg across the range, compared to a regular GWM Ute's 3000kg.
The Cannon Alpha measures 5445mm long, 1991mm wide, 1924mm tall and 3350mm in wheelbase - 35mm longer overall, 57mm wider, 38mm taller, and 120mm longer between the front and rear wheels than a standard GWM Ute Cannon.
Ultra models are fitted with a tailgate which is hinged at the bottom like every other ute, as well as on either side, to open outwards a 60:40 split similar to a double-door fridge.
Standard features in the base Cannon Alpha Lux include LED headlights, an electronic rear differential lock, dual 12.3-inch interior screens, six speakers, dual-zone climate control, synthetic leather-look seats, front and rear parking sensors, and a suite of safety features.
Chinese model shown. The Australian model gets a black interior.The Ultra diesel adds a panoramic sunroof, electronic front differential lock, 14.6-inch touchscreen, heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, genuine leather-accented seats, wireless phone charging, and folding mirrors, among other extras.
Exclusive to the Ultra hybrid are heated and ventilated power-adjustable rear seats, a head-up display, heated steering wheel, rear wireless phone charger, 10-speaker Infinity audio, ambient lighting, and more.
The 2024 GWM Cannon Alpha is expected to reach Australian showrooms in the coming weeks.
Note: All prices above are drive-away.
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex's life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.
Read more about Alex Misoyannis
< Back to 68k.news AU front page