At today’s launch event for the Tank 500 “Must Red,” the Tank 500 Hi4-Z officially began pre-sales. The pre-sale price is 379,800 yuan (52310$). Great Wall Group President Mu Feng discussed the off-road development history of Great Wall Motors and the core advantages of the Hi4-Z hybrid architecture. Then, Tank brand Executive Vice President Gu Yukun announced the start of pre-sales for the Tank 500 Hi4-Z, offering over 22,000 yuan (3030$) in pre-sale benefits. This event showcased the Tank brand’s technical strength in off-road capabilities and marked its further expansion into the new energy off-road sector.
The Commitment of “Tech Guys” “Off-road history partly unfolds at the Great Wall. Great Wall Motors focuses on the SUV market to meet Chinese users’ needs. We want every user to enjoy the freedom to travel anytime,” said Mr. Mu Feng. “Since 1996, Great Wall’s pickup trucks established our off-road DNA. In 2002, the Safe launched a new era for Chinese brand off-road SUVs. In 2005, the Haval H5 set the record for the longest sales cycle of an off-road model in China. In 2014, the Haval H9 pioneered luxury off-road vehicles in China. In 2020, the Tank brand achieved a remarkable 580,000 sales in four years.” Currently, the Tank, Haval, and Great Wall Cannon product family holds a 65% market share in the off-road segment.
In October this year, Great Wall Motors announced an off-road grading standard. This standard draws on 34 years of off-road vehicle experience. It aims to provide safety guidelines for consumers. It helps users choose vehicles based on their needs. Users can face nature and challenge themselves more confidently. They can enjoy true off-road fun.
As of now, all models under the Tank brand fall into the strong off-road category. The Tank 500 Hi4-Z is the brand’s first all-terrain product. It features a unique design. It saves fuel and boosts efficiency. During this year’s National Day period in Alashan, the Tank 500 Hi4-Z “Definitely Red” achieved an impressive 22 consecutive laps in the power challenge. This success comes from the Hi4-Z’s unique three-stage power distribution structure, which keeps the engine operating in its optimal range.
Power splitting has been the most common hybrid technology worldwide for 27 years. However, it struggles in off-road conditions. Engines cannot provide enough wheel-end torque under heavy loads. In high-speed, heavy-load scenarios, like deserts, single-gear power splitting lacks adjustment capability. Great Wall’s Hi4-Z addresses these issues. It uses a highly integrated design with power splitting and a three-speed front-drive module. It features dual motors in a distributed layout. This system supports all hybrid modes: pure electric, range extender, power splitting, direct drive, parallel, and four-wheel drive. It is currently the most versatile off-road hybrid system globally.
Hi4-Z features the shortest gearbox in the world. It has a motor rotor with a nested planetary arrangement. The design includes a super-thin clutch mechanism and a welded drive shaft with the main reducer. It uses low-friction cone bearings and a high-precision tooth grinding process at a 2-micron level. These innovations, over 30 patented technologies, achieve a longitudinal size of 560mm. This length is 20% shorter than single-stage hybrid gearboxes. This design frees up space for battery placement.
In battery safety, the Hi4-Z uses high-safety, high-density power batteries developed for hybrid off-road vehicles. It employs high-energy-active materials and superconducting ionic electrolytes in the cells. The design features double-layer high-strength modules and dual liquid cooling cycles. This leads to an energy density of 234Wh/kg and a volume density of 232Wh/L, minimizing the battery size while meeting the target capacity. Through a series of highly integrated designs, the 59.05kWh power battery pack fits into a mid-large off-road SUV with a frame. The Hi4-Z architecture achieves a pure electric range of over 200km under WLTC conditions, making it the longest pure electric range hybrid off-road architecture globally.
Longer range needs faster charging. The Hi4-Z features an 800V voltage platform, a 3C high charging rate battery, and an integrated boost module. It delivers a maximum charging power of 163kW. Using an 800V supercharger, it adds 120 kilometers of pure electric range in the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee. The Hi4-Z also includes a boost module, ensuring it has the fastest charging power among plug-in hybrids, even with low-voltage chargers. It truly sets the industry standard for plug-in hybrid charging rates. The “science and engineering guy” remains dedicated. A versatile off-roader must still look the part. While we do not recommend extreme off-road scenarios for versatile off-road models, the Tank Hi4-Z does not compromise on reliability. It still achieves hardware and testing redundancy. In hardware layout, the Hi4-Z features mechanical locks on the front and rear axles. This design ensures the front and rear axles rotate in unison, enhancing its off-road recovery capability. The rear suspension employs a Deion five-link design, which maintains the inherent strength of a traditional solid axle while accommodating larger drive motor modules. It uses the industry’s highest 4000-ton hydraulic one-piece forming technology. This allows for a 90mm diameter high-strength steel beam to be formed in one piece, capable of withstanding 1000 megapascals of strength, equivalent to 10,000 atmospheres.
In battery safety, the Hi4-Z battery pack uses a reinforced aluminum profile shell. The pack features a reinforced side beam and a double-layer structure. This design achieves a torsional rigidity of 32,000 N·m/deg. The upper shell uses high-temperature composite materials. It combines with multi-layer insulation and fireproof materials. This setup prevents fire when a single cell experiences thermal runaway. Additionally, the battery pack meets an ultra IP68 waterproof rating. It functions normally after 48 hours submerged at a depth of 1 meter. This performance exceeds industry standards by 96 times.
The Hi4-Z combines advanced technology and smart control. Its redundant systems enhance testing and calibration. This setup elevates off-road performance to new industry heights. It excels in precise handling on complex terrains and recovery in extreme conditions. The Tank 500 Hi4-Z targets the large luxury hybrid SUV market. It highlights three features: new intelligence, comprehensive safety, and full luxury. For power, the Tank 500 Hi4-Z uses a 2.0T engine and high-power motors at both front and rear. This three-engine system achieves 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. It offers a pure electric range of 201 km, allowing for weekly charging. With nearly 1100 km of total range, it supports efficient driving. The front-drive module with three power distribution levels ensures effective direct drive across all speeds.
The Tank 500 Hi4-Z features the upgraded Coffee OS 3.0 system. It adds four smart scene experiences, including camping mode and child mode. Voice recognition is more precise. It quickly responds to ten commands in one sentence. Human-machine interaction is smarter and faster.
The Tank 500 Hi4-Z continues the luxury gene of the Tank brand. It meets ultra-luxury car standards in design, materials, and features. The interior uses extensive leather coverings. The seats feature skin-friendly Nappa leather. Ergonomic design enhances comfort. Ventilation, heating, and massage functions match the standards of million-dollar luxury cars.
The pre-sale price of the Tank 500 Hi4-Z is 379,800 yuan (52310$). It offers three exclusive gifts for the first batch of pre-order users: 1. Worry-Free Optional Package: a 9,000 yuan (1240$) front axle differential lock and an outdoor leisure package. 2. Worry-Free Electricity Package: covers the user’s first-year charging costs. 3. Worry-Free Comfort Package: includes an 8,000 yuan (1100$) seat massage package, a 2,000 yuan (280$) streaming rearview mirror, and a 3,000 yuan (410$) Bluetooth key and remote parking. The total value of the pre-sale gift package exceeds 22,000 yuan (3030$), earning applause from the audience. The future of Chinese off-roading looks promising. At the launch event, Mr. Mu Feng explained the theme “Definitely Red”: “It comes from users’ nickname for the Alashan Tank 500 red-painted vehicle. It is a result of online collaboration, a recognition of the Tank, and an anticipation for the future of Chinese off-roading!”
Based on user preferences, the Tank brand commits to officially mass-producing the Tank 500 “Definitely Red” with original craftsmanship. This move ignites a red passion for industrial art in China. Tank aims to use the Tank 500 Hi4-Z as a new starting point. It will provide global off-road users with Chinese products, Chinese technology, Chinese quality, and a Chinese brand. Tank wants to make Chinese off-roading global.