Yesterday, during the grand opening of the 2026 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), GWM revealed not one, not two, but a total of three vehicles for all to see – the Ora 05 BEV, the Tank 700 Hi4-Z PHEV, and the Haval H7 PHEV.

The Haval H7 PHEV is already available for pre-orders, with the brand looking to launch it sometime in Q2 of this year. Meanwhile, the Ora 05 BEV will also make its Philippine debut at a later date.

But what truly made the reveal special was the Tank 700 Hi4-Z PHEV. Besides being the newest 4x4 plug-in hybrid flagship SUV, the arrival of the Tank 700 Hi4-Z is special, given the fact that the Philippines is the first market outside of China to feature the said vehicle.

In fact, the Tank 700 Hi4-Z only made its official debut in the People's Republic two weeks ago, reinforcing the importance of the Philippine market for GWM in its continued expansion.

We were able to take a closer look at the Tank 700, and we learned why GWM billed it as their hero model. For starters, the plug-in hybrid SUV looks imposing from every angle. From the bold front fascia with the distinct LED headlights to the dramatic lines on the fenders, as well as the boxy rear end and G-Class-like tailgate with rear spare tire carrier, the Tank 700 PHEV is a looker.

Its tall ride height and generous ground clearance also translate to a confident 4x4 that can take on the road less traveled, complete with an intelligent 4WD system with various drive modes. It also comes with huge 22-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin tires.

Hop inside, and the Tank 700 welcomes occupants with a multitude of screens. One is the 12.3-inch digital cluster in front of the driver, while the other is a 15.6-inch central touchscreen media display. Last but not least is a 17.3-inch rear entertainment display that's reserved for the top-of-the-line models. Despite being built to go off-road, the Tank 700 comes with several niceties like a full leather upholstery, 20-way power-adjustable front & rear seats with heating & cooling functions, and a 21-speaker sound system.

For peace of mind on the road, the Tank 700 is available with intelligent driver aids, including LiDAR technology that serves as an advanced autonomous driving capability. As mentioned before, the Tank 700 Hi4-Z comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, which consists of a 2.0L turbocharged engine that's assisted by a pair of electric motors and a 59.05 kWh battery pack.

This gives the electrified Tank 700 a combined 900 PS and 1,195 Nm of torque. On battery power alone, GWM claims this 4x4 can travel up to 190 km without using a drop of fuel. With a fully charged battery and a full tank of gas, the automaker says the Tank 700 Hi4-Z PHEV has a combined range of nearly 1,200 km.

There's no timeline yet as to when GWM Philippines plans to offer the Tank 700 Hi4-Z PHEV. But since they have a unit on display at MIAS 2026, perhaps they're already gauging customer interest for their latest hero model. Here's to hoping GWM will be able to launch it for the Philippine market in the future.