The GWM Cannon Alpha has gained a more powerful turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that produces more torque than the V6-powered Ford Ranger, even though it's down two cylinders.

The 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, which replaces the older 2.4-litre mill, is available in Lux and Vanta trims in the Cannon Alpha – the slightly larger and more luxurious sibling to the Cannon.

The new, more powerful diesels are available to pre-order now ahead of first deliveries via GWM dealerships from mid-September.

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The Lux and Vanta diesel, priced at $58,990 and $63,990 drive-away respectively, join the existing plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Lux and Ultra. GWM is also offering both with either a $2000 cash bonus or a $2000 fuel card for vehicles purchased before October 30, 2026.

The 3.0-litre produces 170kW of power and 620Nm of torque, which is up 35kW and 140Nm on the old 2.4-litre – of which stock remains available – and down 14kW but up 20Nm on the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 in the top-selling Ford Ranger. This makes the Cannon Alpha the most powerful and most torquey four-cylinder turbo-diesel ute in its segment.

Payload is up from 760-821kg in the old 2.4-litre variants to 945kg, while fuel consumption has dropped from 8.9L/100km to 7.3L/100km.

All 3.0-litre variants get the latest Coffee OS infotainment system on a 14.6-inch screen, while PHEVs – for now at least – retain the previous generation of infotainment on the same size screen.

Pricing

Drivetrains and Efficiency

There are some key differences between diesel and PHEV versions of the Cannon Alpha, besides what's under the bonnet.

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Turbo-diesel Cannon Alphas use a live rear axle with leaf springs, while PHEVs feature rear coil springs.

Diesel variants also feature a part-time four-wheel drive system, while PHEVs use a torque-on-demand 4WD system.

The PHEV can be fast-charged at up to 50kW using DC power, and boasts vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability with a 6kW discharge rate.

It can also run purely on electric power even when in high-range four-wheel drive mode.

Dimensions

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Payload varies based on the model.

Servicing and Warranty

GWM backs its vehicles with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

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The Cannon Alpha PHEV’s high-voltage battery is backed by a separate eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

GWM offers capped-price servicing for the Cannon Alpha PHEV. Pricing for 3.0L variants has yet to be announced.

Safety

The GWM Cannon Alpha was awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted in 2024.

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Standard safety equipment includes:

• 7 airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Front cross-traffic assist
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane centring
• Emergency lane-keeping
• Traffic Jam Assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Surround-view camera with transparent chassis mode
• Front and rear parking sensors

Standard Equipment

The Cannon Alpha range now comprises Lux and Vanta diesels, and Lux and Ultra PHEVs.

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The Lux diesel and Lux PHEV come standard with the following equipment:

• Automatic LED headlights
• Automatic high-beam
• Fixed side steps
• Black grille, roof rails, door handles, exterior mirrors and side steps (PHEV)
• Hill ascent control
• Hill descent control
• 18-inch chrome alloy wheels (diesel)
• 18-inch black alloy wheels (PHEV)
• Full-size steel spare wheel
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Spray-on tub liner
• High-mounted tub light
• Rear privacy glass
• Power-folding exterior mirrors (diesel, NEW)
• Black leatherette-accented interior
• Dual-zone climate control
• 6-way power driver’s seat
• 6-speaker sound system
• 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system (with Coffee OS in Lux diesel)
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster

Over the Lux diesel, the Vanta diesel adds:

• Front differential lock
• Black grille, roof rails, door handles, exterior mirrors and side steps
• Black 19-inch alloy wheels in Continental tyres
• Full-size alloy spare
• 60/40-split tailgate
• LED cornering lights
• Panoramic sunroof
• Electric sliding rear window
• Head-up display
• Leather-accented seats
• 8-way power driver's seat with lumbar adjustment, memory
• 6-way power passenger seat
• Heated, ventilated and massaging front seats
• 50W wireless phone charger
• 10-speaker sound system
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Over the Lux PHEV, the Ultra PHEV adds:

• Front differential lock
• Auto Parking Assist
• 60/40-split tailgate
• LED cornering lights
• Panoramic sunroof
• Electric sliding rear window
• Head-up display
• Heated steering wheel
• Leather-accented seats
• 8-way power driver's seat with lumbar adjustment, memory
• 6-way power passenger seat
• Heated, ventilated and massaging front seats
• Power-adjustable, heated and ventilated outboard rear seats
• Front and rear wireless phone chargers
• 10-speaker sound system
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Colours

The GWM Cannon Alpha comes standard with a Marble White exterior paint finish.

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Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

The following finishes are available for an additional $595:

• Onyx Silver
• Storm Grey
• Crystal Black

All Cannon Alphas have a black interior.

MORE: Everything GWM Cannon Alpha