GWM's Tank brand has launched the Tank 300 Hooks Trail, a limited-edition off-roader priced at 250,000 yuan (about $35,200) as a Chinese guide price before taxes and incentives, according to NetEase Auto. Only 300 units will be built, and the model is positioned as China's first high-end factory-built solid-axle off-road vehicle, targeting extreme rock-crawling and heavy overlanding use.
The name "Hooks Trail" refers to the famous Hooks Trail off-road route in the US, and Tank says the production model has already conquered the route's toughest obstacle, "Hooks Red Peak," making it the first Chinese-brand production vehicle to do so. The car's key selling point is its front and rear solid axles, a structure long associated with hardcore off-roaders such as the Jeep Wrangler, which has dominated this niche in China.
Factory-built for extreme terrain
Unlike mainstream SUVs that use unibody construction and independent suspension, the Tank 300 Hooks Trail uses a body-on-frame layout with solid axles front and rear. This allows for greater wheel travel, better traction on uneven ground, and a structure robust enough to absorb impacts from large rocks. Tank says the suspension system's overall stiffness is up 38 percent, and the steering tie rod is 42mm in diameter and solid, rather than hollow, to resist deformation during rock-crawling.
The powertrain is a specially tuned 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 170kW (about 228hp) and 400Nm of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic gearbox. It comes with a mechanical four-wheel-drive system featuring three locking differentials and a 4.55 final drive ratio, giving a crawl ratio of 63.5. A higher crawl ratio means more torque reaches the wheels in low-range mode, making it easier to climb large rocks and traverse pothole-strewn terrain.
Exterior changes over the standard Tank 300 include new front and rear bumpers, a tow hook, a snorkel for water crossings, and optional passive night-vision equipment. The body measures 4,886mm long, 1,984mm wide and 1,960mm tall, with a 3,010mm wheelbase, approach angle of 41 degrees and departure angle of 34 or 36 degrees depending on configuration. It rides on 265-section tyres and 18-inch wheels.
Smart cabin and limited availability
Inside, the Hooks Trail features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 15.6-inch 2.5K floating touchscreen running the Coffee OS 3 AI cockpit system, which includes the Coffee GPT voice assistant and supports phone connectivity via Air-Hicar and ICCOA. Tank is also offering buyers a package of exclusive extras, including special livery, a "Shining Yellow" paint option and a semi-active anti-roll bar.
Tank says the model is aimed at experienced off-roaders who previously had to choose between expensive imported brands with long waiting times and the risks of aftermarket modifications. At 250,000 yuan, the Hooks Trail offers factory-built solid axles and three locks straight from the showroom, a combination that has rarely been available from a Chinese brand at this price. The limited run of 300 units is expected to sell quickly among the brand's enthusiast following.
