Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman accorded a rousing welcome on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, to a new global automotive sensation – the TANK 500 – an off-road luxury SUV from Great Wall Motor (GWM).
The launch was celebrated at a gala event organised by OTE Group, exclusive distributors of GWM’s entire range of SUVs and pick-up trucks in Oman. Joining in the celebrations were leading personalities from the Omani corporate sector, existing and prospective customers, and media representatives.
OTE Group, one of Oman’s biggest automotive distributors, was represented by Sheikh Salim Saad Suhail Bahwan, Director, and Prakash Vedula, Assistant General Manager – GWM Oman. In attendance from GWM GCC were Sunny Bhat, General Manager – Sales and Marketing, Alex Guo – Marketing Director, Gautam Arun - Product Director, and Victor Shen - Sales Manager.
Taking centre-stage, however, was the TANK 500 – a new premium off-road SUV making its highly anticipated entry into Oman as part of a wider rollout across the Gulf region. Developed on the TANK platform, this latest offering from GWM – China’s largest SUV and pickup manufacturer – comes with impressive power, intelligent off-road capabilities, and exceptional comfort and safety.
As the flagship brand of the GWM family, the TANK 500 has benefited from comprehensive upgrades in engine, system and performance – all aimed at delivering a luxurious SUV motoring experience even amid the challenging terrains of the Middle East.
The TANK 500 is equipped with a high-performance powertrain and four-wheel drive system designed to offer unmatched stability and safety for the passengers. A muscular 3.0L twin-turbo engine delivers 348 hp of power with 500 nm torque. Paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission system, it enables a quick response during acceleration and overtaking.
In addition, this model offers specialized off-road configurations according to customer needs, including electronically controlled mechanical differential lock, offroad Creep Mode and so on. These configurations can provide a more practical and safer driving experience for customers under harsh driving conditions. For example, if a tyre slips when driving over a pothole, the driver can quickly get out of trouble by using an electronically controlled button to activate the differential lock.
Imposing in stature, the TANK 500 is an extraordinary 4,886 mm long, 1,934 mm wide, and 1,905 mm tall and carries a wheelbase of 2,850 mm – stats that attest to its segment-leading presence. Both variants – Signature and Prestige – come loaded with top-notch features, including Automatic LED headlamps, LED tail lights, 20-inch alloy wheels and power-retractable side steps.
Plush materials and innovative convenience features take luxury in the TANK 500’s interior to a new level. In addition to Nappa leather upholstery, the SUV features a 14.6 inch High-Definition Central Control Infotainment unit that makes motoring a pleasure-filled experience as well. A panoramic sunroof (with the Prestige) along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, add to the model’s luxurious interior setting.
A standout feature of the all-new TANK 500 is its all-encompassing emphasis on safety. Thus, in addition to its intelligent driving assistance system, the TANK 500 comes with an active safety system based on advanced sensors and intelligent algorithms that can monitor road conditions in real-time to provide accurate driving advice with comprehensive security.
Standard across both trims are a total of six airbags each, in addition to a host of safety features that place the TANK 500 in a distinctive category for passenger care. The list includes: Adaptive Cruise Control, Intelligent Cruise Assist, Intelligent Turning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Centered Keeping, Blind Spot Warning, Driver Fatigue Detection, 360-degree View, Reversing Radar, Forward Collision Warning, Automotive Emergency Brake, and Children’s Safety Lock. Exclusive to the Prestige variant is an Integrated Automatic Parking Assist, Cross Traffic Alert, and Reverse Side Braking, among other features.
“OTE Group, together with Great Wall Motor, is delighted to bring this stunning new SUV to the Omani market. The TANK 500, with its intelligence features and powerful engine, is proven to deliver an exceptional performance both in urban and off-road settings. Together, with the superior levels of luxury and comfort that it offers, this superb offering from GWM will resonate well with SUV-lovers in Oman,” said Prakash Vedula, Assistant General Manager – GWM Oman.
OTE Group is the exclusive dealer for the diverse product line-up of vehicles from GWM in the Sultanate of Oman. Backed by a nationwide service network, OTE Group offers excellent sales and after-sales service support on par with global standards. For more information please contact 800-50004 or visit www.GWMoman.com.