GWM introduced the Cannon ute to New Zealand a few years back, and while it may not have blown the socks off the competition, it represented great value. It’s sold alright too, with 143 registered this year. But with the larger and newly electrified Cannon Alpha now on sale, might it be time to upgrade the fleet?
Starting with the basics, the Cannon Alpha is quite different to the Cannon. It has a new platform shared with the Tank 500, new engines, and a brand new cabin. Dimensionally it sits roughly between utes like the Ford Ranger and American trucks like the Chevolet Silverado, measuring 5445mm long, 1991mm wide and 1924mm high, with a wheelbase of 3350mm. That’s 35mm longer, 57mm wider and 38mm taller than the standard Cannon.
Under the bonnet is either a 2.4-litre turbodiesel four- cylinder producing a respectable 135kW/480Nm, or a hybrid 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four. The latter is what we’ve got here.
It’s pretty grunty too, with 255kW/648Nm on tap. As for the electrical stuff, a 1.76kWh li-ion battery hides in the chassis while an electric motor sits within the nine-speed automatic transmission. Towing is rated at the usual 3500kg while the payload sits at 735kg. For easier tray access, GWM has designed a split tailgate, which is pretty cool.
Driving the Alpha Hybrid is something of a mixed bag. On one hand, the electrified powertrain does chip away at the fuel consumption, with periods of zero-emissions driving possible at low speeds and sometimes while coasting, but not all that much. Real- world fuel consumption levelled out at just below 12L/100km. The electric motor seems to be more suited for a lighter vehicle, occasionally feeling overworked when moving the 2775kg Cannon Alpha.
The powertrain feels like it’s been tuned to drive a bit like a diesel too, holding gears a bit longer and shifting around 2500rpm in the same way diesels do. Possibly to help people make the shift from diesel to petrol a bit easier. The hybrid’s petrol engine is generally smoother than a diesel as well.
Inside is a really smart cabin with lots of faux leather and a large touchscreen. The screen is lovely to use, snappy and responsive, and the materials inside feel plush and well put together. GWM has done some clever engineering with the rear doors, curving them around to reduce wind noise for rear occupants.
There is heaps of kit too, as this is the Ultra variant. It comes standard with a head-up display, heated steering wheel, a second wireless charger for rear passengers, a 10-speaker Infinity audio system, heated and ventilated powered rear seats, and auto parking and auto reversing assistants. If you want a ute that can tow on the weekends and carry passengers in comfort during the week, the Cannon Alpha is hard to beat.
But it’s not perfect. There’s that fuel consumption, which isn’t great, mirrored in its emissions of 225g/km compared to the diesel’s 234g/ km. Then there’s the driver aids, which are infuriating. GWM’s safety systems insist on blaring and chiming at you every time they detect things they don’t like, like looking away from the road or going over the speed limit. You can turn them off but they switch back on by default every time you turn the vehicle on.
As for price, GWM is asking $68,990 for the Cannon Alpha Hybrid, which also includes an eight-year, unlimited kilometre battery warranty, a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty on the rest of the vehicle, and five years of roadside assistance.
Words and photos Nile Bijoux
