Australia and New Zealand will be the first right-hand-drive markets to see the 2025 GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) pick-up truck, go on sale starting April this year. If this looks familiar, a similar model is also already marketed in neighbouring Thailand, albeit in non-PHEV form, branded as the GWM Poer Sahara there.
In Australia, the Cannon Alpha PHEV will be available in Lux and Ultra guises priced at AUS$63,990 and AUS$68,990 (RM286,000 to RM308,000), respectively. These figures positions this Chinese fighter significantly higher than the rivalling BYD Shark PHEV, which starts at AUS$57,900 (RM259,000).
While the Shark is powered by a base 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol mill and dual e-motor setup, the Cannon Alpha PHEV pairs a 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol mill with a single e-motor instead that delivers a combined output of 402 HP and 750 NM.
GWM also pairs said a 9-speed automatic transmission and mechanical four-wheel-drive (4WD) with front, rear and centre-locking diffs equipped - likely to enhance its off-road abilities. It also offers multiple terrain modes and can operate on electric power in 4WD high range, even at highway speeds - a feature GWM claims to be unique in this space.
The Canon Alpha also packs a 37.1kWh battery pack that boasts a claimed 110 Km of electric-only range, thus slightly edging the BYD Shark here too. In hybrid mode, the total driving range extends to 880 KM, claims GWM. Additionally, the Cannon Alpha PHEV supports 50kW DC fast charging, allowing a 30–80% recharge in 26 minutes.
The Cannon Alpha PHEV boasts a 3,500 KG braked towing capacity, surpassing the BYD Shark’s 2,500 KG rating. Designed for tough conditions, it can also wade through water at a depth of 800 MM thanks to its 224 MM ground clearance.
Weighing 2,810 KG with a gross vehicle mass of 3,495 KG, the Cannon Alpha PHEV achieves a claimed fuel consumption of 1.7L/100 KM in lab testing.
Malaysia has seen a sharp decline in diesel vehicle sales following recent diesel price rationalisation, creating an opportunity for hybrid and PHEV pick-up trucks. Besides the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and the BYD Shark, segment leader Ford is also present with their own electrified variant of its Ranger.
Should GWM Malaysia move quickly, it could establish a strong foothold in this space before BYD Malaysia, which is actively introducing new models, beats it to it by marketing the Shark first in Malaysia.
Ultimately, this boils down to you, and we pose this question: which of these electrified Chinese alternatives would you rather see make landfall first? Share your thoughts in the comments below, as well as our social media pages…
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