A GWM Cannon Alpha ute is essentially a Tank 500 SUV by any other name; or at least one with a tray. And that leads us perfectly into the thing that makes the Alpha really interesting: the top Ultra model picks up the petrol-electric hybrid powertrain from the Tank 500 Ultra.
GWM CANNON ALPHA ULTRA HYBRID: Engine 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four with hybrid electric system Power 255kW/648Nm (combined) Gearbox 9-speed automatic, part-time 4WD with low-range Consumption 9.8l/100km (claimed) Price $68,990.
Which in turn makes the Alpha the first full-hybrid ute to go on sale in New Zealand. Or perhaps we should say “pickup truck” in deference to its size, because it’s a bit larger than the usual one-tonne crowd, which is already sizeable: Alpha is nearly two metres wide, and 75mm longer than a Ford Ranger. Only 35mm longer than GWM's own entry-level Cannon (which is a whole different vehicle), though.
It’s an intriguing thing. You can still have it with a conventional diesel engine, which we have driven in Australia and rather liked. But when it comes to the Cannon Alpha Ultra, the hybrid technology absolutely dominates the driving experience, in both good and bad ways.
The good first. This is a performance hybrid, with a 255kW wallop that provides a pretty decent turn of speed once it gathers up its skirts and gets 2.6 tonnes moving. It’s a full hybrid too, with an electric motor integrated into the 9-speed transmission, meaning it can drive on electric power only for short distances.
So it can be fast, but in constant-speed motorway driving it’s also pretty smooth, the hybrid system filling in the gaps on part throttle.
When it comes to the Cannon Alpha Ultra, the hybrid technology dominates the driving experience, in both good and bad ways.
And the bad? Well, you might remember that bit where we mentioned it’s 2.6 tonnes. The hybrid system tries to start on electric power, but as soon as you need anything approaching decent forward momentum the petrol engine needs to kick in. Problem is, it’s not nearly as decisive as it should be, so there’s a worrying delay of a second or two; then it’s all on as the Alpha powers down the road. And when you lift off, it takes an age for the engine revs to settle.
And take this as an observation rather than a criticism, but it’s not an eco-hybrid as such. GWM’s claimed 9.8l/100km is fine when you consider the power and weight we’re dealing with, but it’s not going to wow the fleet manager. We averaged 12l/100km during our test time and no, we weren’t going silly.
The Alpha swaps out the multi-link rear suspension of the Tank 500 for rugged leaf springs, to provide a 3.5-tonne tow rating.
All the above is equally true of the Tank 500, but both the good and bad seemed more pronounced in the Cannon Alpha.
It’s not exactly the same, of course. The Alpha swaps out the multi-link rear suspension of the Tank for rugged leaf springs, in order to provide the 3.5-tonne tow rating that Kiwi ute buyers expect. So a big tick there.
The GWM’s wellside has an awesome party trick. The tailgate can be dropped in the conventional style, but it’s also split 60/40 barn door-style.
The weight and generous cabin of the Alpha Ultra does bring opportunity cost in payload: 735kg for this model, which is well short of the tonne offered by smaller utes and also down on the diesel model (760-821kg).
But the GWM’s wellside has an awesome party trick. The tailgate can be dropped in the conventional style, but it’s also split 60/40, meaning you can open either side barn door-style. Which bit opens depends on how many times you click the electric latch in the giant Cannon symbol on the back. Love it.
The rugged rear end does no favours for the Alpha’s ride, which is pretty fussy even on smooth surfaces and downright crashy at speed on backroads. So it’s an odd mix of that and the roly poly cornering attitude inherited from the Tank 500. Nobody expects a massive luxury truck to ride and handle like a German sedan, but it could still do with some work.
As could the active safety technology. We’ve noted this already with the Tank, but for the record: this machine is loaded with driver assists, which is admirable, but the calibration is questionable on a lot of it. The driver distraction camera seems intolerant of you even existing; between that and the lane-keep and the speed-sign recognition, hardly five minutes goes by without an abrupt voice telling you to stay focused because the adaptive cruise is on, or keep alert, or slow down because you’re a teeny bit over the limit, or just take a break.
Again, it seemed less predictable and more annoying in the Alpha than the Tank, possibly because the ute is a bit less settled on the road. You can turn the offending features off of course, but you have to do that every time you start the vehicle.
Given the cabin is very similar to the Tank 500 Ultra, take it as read that the top-spec Alpha has a staggeringly luxurious feel for a ute. Feel free to choose from 64 interior lighting colours. It offers heating and ventilation on both front and rear seats, automatic parking and reversing assistant with top-view monitor, Infinity audio with independent amplifier. How many utes do you know of where the rear seats are power-adjustable and slide into place when you open the door as a “welcome function”? Pretty swish.
You can’t accuse the Cannon Alpha Ultra of being dull. We’re always saying there’s not a lot you can do with the basic ute format to be different, but GWM has certainly given this segment a reboot.
The Cannon Alpha Ultra hybrid is an immensely interesting and luxurious machine for less than $70k and it certainly delivers on towing and off-road ability: it’s a proper ladder-frame truck with low-range transmission.
With a bit more work on powertrain calibration and the driver assists wound back from 11 where they’re currently set, it could be a hugely appealing prospect for those who like a big truck with quite a lot of tech.
What are the key statistics for the GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra hybrid?
It's powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and hybrid electric system making a combined 255kW/648Nm. The electric motor is integrated into the 9-speed transmission.
Is the GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra hybrid efficient?
It says "HEV" on the back but it's not necessarily about thrift. The claimed 9.8l/100km average makes it more thirsty than any diesel-powered one-tonne ute, but it packs a lot more power.
Is the GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra hybrid good to drive?
It's a mixed bag: the powertrain is smooth on the motorway but the petrol and electric motors aren't the best combination in urban running or when you want instant power. The solid rear axle and leaf springs at the back result in a crashy ride, but there's no doubting the Alpha's towing and off-road credentials.
Is the GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra hybrid practical?
As a ute, the tray is shorter than smaller one-tonners like the Ford Ranger and the payload is lower: just 735kg for the hybrid. But we love the two-way tailgate and as we said above, it tows and 4x4s with the best.
The cabin is extremely luxurious and spacious for a ute, especially in the back, where the seats are powered and recline through quite a range. That's not usual for a ute.
What do we like about the GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra hybrid?
Lots of presence, the grunt of the hybrid powertrain, the overtly luxurious cabin which really steps up the quality of rear-seat accommodation for utes.
What don’t we like about the GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra hybrid?
You need to think twice about whether you want a ute this big (it's 75mm longer than a Ford Ranger). The hybrid powertrain is jerky in urban driving and the driver assists are infuriating.
What kind of person would the GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra hybrid suit?
Somebody who wants a double-cab ute for all the usual reasons (lifestyle, towing, whatever) but really wants to be different.