GWM TANK 500 Production Begins in Russia With Hybrid Options

GWM Begins TANK 500 SUV Production in Russia

On October 19, Great Wall Motor (GWM) began production of the TANK 500 SUV at the AVTOTOR production facility in Russia, specifically in Kaliningrad. The vehicle is being manufactured in gasoline and hybrid versions, with initial production using welded and painted bodies. The TANK 500 is the second SUV to enter local production at the Kaliningrad facility, following the TANK 300, which began production there earlier. This development expands local manufacturing of GWM's TANK SUV lineup in Russia and introduces another model assembled at the facility. The announcement identifies both conventional gasoline and electrified powertrain options, giving the TANK 500 a range of configurations for the local market.

TANK 500 Production Follows the TANK 300

The start of TANK 500 production follows the introduction of the TANK 300 at the Kaliningrad plant, making the TANK 500 the second SUV from the lineup to enter local production in Russia. Manufacturing takes place at the AVTOTOR production facility, with the initial process involving welded and painted bodies. The source does not specify production volumes, localization percentages, or plans for additional manufacturing stages. However, the addition of the TANK 500 establishes a further locally produced model within GWM's TANK range. Both the gasoline and hybrid versions are included in the production announcement, although the available information does not detail how output will be divided between the different powertrain configurations.

Four TANK 500 Trims Offer Different Powertrains

The TANK 500 is available in four trim levels: Premium, Onyx, City Premium, and Techno Premium. These configurations differ in engine specifications, exterior design, seating capacity, and electrification. The Premium trim uses a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 gasoline engine producing 299 horsepower. The Onyx trim features a black exterior design and a V6 gasoline engine producing 354 horsepower. The City Premium is a seven-seat hybrid, while the Techno Premium is a plug-in hybrid combining a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor. This range gives buyers several configurations within the same SUV model, from gasoline-powered versions to hybrid options, including a plug-in hybrid with a stated electric driving range.

TANK 500 Engine Specifications and Electric Range

The four trim levels provide distinct specifications for buyers comparing the TANK 500 lineup. The Premium uses a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 gasoline engine rated at 299 horsepower, while the Onyx uses a V6 gasoline engine rated at 354 horsepower and adds a black exterior design. The City Premium is identified as a seven-seat hybrid, although its engine output is not specified in the source. The Techno Premium combines a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor to deliver a maximum output of 394 horsepower, with an electric range of up to 115 kilometers. These stated figures distinguish the available powertrains, but the source does not provide fuel economy, battery capacity, charging time, or acceleration data.

TANK 500 Trim Levels and Powertrain Specifications

The following comparison summarizes the specifications stated for the four TANK 500 trim levels. Information not provided in the source is left unspecified rather than estimated.

Gasoline and Electrified Versions Expand the Lineup

The TANK 500 production announcement covers both gasoline and hybrid versions, with the Techno Premium providing the specified plug-in hybrid configuration. Its combination of a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor produces a maximum output of 394 horsepower, while its electric range is stated at up to 115 kilometers. The City Premium adds a separate seven-seat hybrid option, although the source does not provide its detailed powertrain figures. The gasoline-powered Premium and Onyx trims offer different V6 engine outputs. Together, these versions give the locally produced SUV a varied powertrain lineup, but details such as pricing, equipment differences beyond those specified, and the availability of individual trims have not been provided.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The start of GWM TANK 500 production at AVTOTOR adds another locally manufactured SUV to the Russian market and extends the production presence already established by the TANK 300. Offering gasoline and hybrid configurations, including a plug-in hybrid rated at up to 394 horsepower with an electric range of up to 115 kilometers, gives the model a broader powertrain mix within one lineup. The practical market impact will depend on factors not detailed in the announcement, including pricing, production volumes, customer demand, and the availability of each trim. Further information on output, localization, and distribution would help clarify the scale of the manufacturing operation and the TANK 500's position in Russia's SUV market.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did GWM begin TANK 500 production in Russia?
Great Wall Motor began production of the TANK 500 SUV on October 19 at the AVTOTOR production facility in Kaliningrad, Russia. The production announcement covers gasoline and hybrid versions, initially using welded and painted bodies. The TANK 500 is the second SUV from the TANK lineup to enter local production at the Kaliningrad plant, following the TANK 300. The source does not specify the production year, total manufacturing capacity, or the number of vehicles produced following the start of operations.

Which TANK 500 trim levels are available?
The TANK 500 is offered in four trim levels: Premium, Onyx, City Premium, and Techno Premium. The Premium uses a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 gasoline engine producing 299 horsepower, while the Onyx has a black exterior design and a 354-horsepower V6 gasoline engine. The City Premium is a seven-seat hybrid. The Techno Premium is a plug-in hybrid combining a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor. The source identifies these four configurations but does not provide their prices or a complete list of equipment differences.

How much power does the TANK 500 Techno Premium produce?
The TANK 500 Techno Premium plug-in hybrid delivers a maximum output of 394 horsepower from a combination of a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor. Its stated electric driving range is up to 115 kilometers. These specifications distinguish it from the Premium and Onyx gasoline versions, which produce 299 horsepower and 354 horsepower, respectively. The source does not provide battery capacity, charging specifications, fuel economy, or acceleration figures, so those performance characteristics cannot be established from the available announcement.

Where is the TANK 500 being manufactured in Russia?
The TANK 500 is being manufactured at the AVTOTOR production facility in Kaliningrad, Russia. The initial production process uses welded and painted bodies, and both gasoline and hybrid versions are included in the announcement. The TANK 300 entered local production at the same plant before the TANK 500, making the newer SUV the second TANK model identified as locally produced there. The announcement does not specify the origin of individual components, the degree of local content, or whether additional manufacturing processes will be introduced later.

What is the difference between the TANK 500 gasoline and hybrid versions?
The gasoline versions identified in the announcement include the Premium, with a 299-horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, and the Onyx, with a 354-horsepower V6 and a black exterior design. The City Premium is a seven-seat hybrid, while the Techno Premium combines a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor in a plug-in hybrid system. The latter produces up to 394 horsepower and offers an electric range of up to 115 kilometers. The source does not specify the City Premium's output or the detailed fuel-efficiency figures for any trim.