The race to electrify the ute as we have known it is well and truly on. While the concept of owning a plug-in hybrid “work truck” is still being cemented in the minds of buyers, some brands have started to embrace this in a big way. Just look at GWM.
This brand, like just about every Chinese brand you would care to mention, has come an awful long way in what amounts to a very short space of time. A statement of this progress can be seen in the latest evolution of GWM’s Cannon Ute. Called the Cannon Alpha, it is certainly much more than a premium rehash of the standard Cannon, and chief of these differences, is that incorporation of a hybrid powertrain.
The Cannon Alpha family is a five-tier affair, with Lux and Ultra turbo diesel versions available before you move up to the Ultra HEV Hybrid, Lux PHEV (Plug-in-Hybrid-Electric-Vehicle) and the flagship Ultra PHEV. My test car was the Lux PHEV at $64,990.
The PHEV offerings utilize GWM’s Hi4-T advanced hybrid technology which means a 2.0L turbo petrol engine conjoined to a 37.11kWh battery pack sending a combined 300kW and combined 750Nm of torque to all-four wheels. Impressive, and because the petrol engine is there as a generator to power the battery and electric motors, you have a claimed combined range of a whopping 1,060km range (NEDC).
What is additionally impressive is the fact you can cover up to a claimed 115kms (NEDC on electric power alone, though your real-world figure might be a smidgen less when factoring in the type of driving, weight etc. Pretty cool nevertheless though. Combined fuel consumption is around 1.7l/100km and towing rating? Try 3,500kg. Not too shabby.
The Cannon Alpha utilises the same platform as the Tank 500, and its exterior design reflects this shared heritage. Key features such as LED headlights with LED DRLs, a prominent front grille, and an angular American-style front lip contribute to its rather American looking stance. Sure, it’s a relatively big fella at 5,445mm long and 1991mm wide, but it does shrink around you when you get moving.
The PHEV Lux and Ultra distance themselves from the Ultra HEV with the incorporation of blacked-out accents, grille, wing mirrors, 18-inch alloy wheels, and badging. What results is a ute with a decent amount of road presence. Several times I found people asking, “wow, what’s that you are driving this week?”
GWM say the Cannon Alpha is their “most stylish and luxurious ute ever” and you can see where they are coming from, especially once you step inside, literally. The cabin is plusher than the regular Cannon and little details like the imitation wooden dash trim and brushed aluminium-esque switchgear do add an err of pomp and ceremony.
The electric leatherette seats are also immensely comfortable, feeling more like armchairs than car seats. Ahead of you sits a leatherette wrapped steering wheel which is centred by a large leatherette GWM badge. It does feel good in your hands and there is plenty of room to slob out. Talking of room, the Cannon Alpha features good levels of storage with a good-sized centre bin and decent door bins for your average sized drink bottle and other items. While the Lux PHEV didn’t come with wireless phone charging (you will need the Ultra PHEV for that privilege), the pad still holds your phone snuggly and securely.
Kit levels are decent for the Lux PHEV. Standard is a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with slick looking graphics and intuitive connectivity, a 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, dual zone climate control. GWM’s latest voice interface software with “Hey GWM” voice activation for the in-car features, 360-degree view monitor with clear chassis view, front rear USB ports, parking sensors fore and aft and safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, intelligent cornering assist and rear collision warning to name but a few.
However, like the wireless phone charging, if you want features like heated leather seats, head up display, a 10-speaker Infinity sound system, auto parking and reversing assist, then the $71,990 Ultra PHEV would be the better bet.
When opening the rear passenger doors for the first time, I also couldn’t help but notice a pair of small storage compartments either side, protected by a pull up/down cover. Nice touch, but you do have to watch your head as the top section of the rear doors protrude out to cover those hidey-holes.
The rear seats are just as comfortable as those in the front and headroom is rather generous too. I also quite liked every time you get out and lock the doors; the Cannon Alpa lays its beat down by playing a brief funky lounge/R’N’B number.
Round the back you can access the Cannon Alpha PHEV’s rear deck with its 680kg payload by way of a “one-touch” button to lower the tailgate. The tray is considerable in size and while you must play host to an upright full-size spare wheel, there is still ample space to lug whatever around, within reason that is.
Moving off and that lovely 750Nm kicks in way low down in typical PHEV fashion resulting in the Cannon Alpha PHEV scooting along nicely. The nine-speed automatic transmission is rather slick, and the Cannon Alpha can happily see-saw between electric mode and petrol power. I found SMART mode the drive mode of choice as it will intelligently decide where to apply said petrol power or curb it and let the batteries do the job. Activate HEV or hybrid mode and it behaves like a normal run-of-the-mill hybrid whereas shutting down the petrol engine for some EV silent running is possible in, well EV mode.
Sport allows you make some more exuberant progress, naturally, however I found myself in Normal for regular street use, or 4H for those loose surfaces. The ride is a bit spongy in parts, but the overall level of comfort and refinement deserves special mention. Also worth a mention is the driver monitoring system which knows full well if you need to have a break from driving. Every time I would yawn, it would tell me to take a break!
Getting off the beaten track, and its time quick application of 4H before engaging 4L for those more technical bits. It’s 210mm ground clearance is decent and with its rear locking diff and 4L mode with hill descent control allows you to munch up most terrain. Even on street tyres like this has.
I found myself at close to an angle which I guestimate at around 40-ish degrees, blacked out grill pointed at the sky, and the torque from the batteries and petrol engine allowed me to creep my way up. The surround view camera with multiple angles also gives you a clear view of your immediate surroundings. I couldn’t test the 800mm wading depth, but I have no doubt of the Cannon Alpha PHEV’s ability to traverse such watering holes.
In summary, it’s hard not be impressed by what GWM have done here. By dressing their Cannon up and providing an immensely capable plug-in-hybrid powertrain with a plush and premium feeling creature comforts, plus some real-world usability and fuel frugality, the result is a ute sitting at the forefront of a small but rapidly growing segment.
Eco-focused Ute buyers should not overlook this one.
RATING: 8/10
