GWM brought the world’s first hybrid electric off-road vehicles to the island on August 16 on the lawns of Devon House, St Andrew.

The Tank line begins with the smaller Tank 300. The headline figures are a 2-litre turbocharged engine combined with a 78kW electric motor for a maximum 342 horsepower and 478 lb/ft of torque to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission.

According to GWM the, addition of electrification gives the Tank 300 greater performance and increased efficiency, while reducing vehicle noise output at low speeds. This allows the Tank 300 to operate smoothly and have sharp acceleration in both urban and off-road conditions.

The interior features a European designed cabin featuring Nappa leather accented seats of which the fronts are heated and cooled, and the driver has 8-way power adjustability. Technology is represented by the likes of a 12.3-inch touchscreen, integrated with an Infinity® 9-speaker sound system, plus wireless charging and automated parking functions.

The larger Tank 500 is a full-sized SUV. It also uses what GWM terms its Dedicated Hybrid Technology pairing a 2-litre turbocharged motor with a 78kW electric motor run by a 1.75 kWh battery. The combined power output figures is the same as the Tank 300. Its larger luxury-themed interior boasts what GWM describes as lavish and inspired. The 500 gets a 14.6-inch touchscreen and a premium eInfinity 12-speaker sound system amongst its multiplicity of convenience and technology features.