GWM's Raptor! Tank 300 meets Defender in Haval's new hybrid off-road SUV

It seems like the stream of large SUVs designed for getting out into nature isn’t slowing down in China, with GWM having launched yet another model this week with a somewhat familiar name.

The GWM Haval Raptor is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) off-road SUV that looks a little like a GWM Tank 300 met a Land Rover Defender, and it has some impressive claims to its name according to the official specs.

With a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine assisted by a hybrid system, the Haval Raptor’s engine alone makes a humble 123kW and 243Nm, but 282kW and 750Nm when paired with the top-spec version of its hybrid powertrain.

There’s also a lesser 278kW/750Nm version which has less powerful electric motors, though there are still a pair, with one at each axle.

Importantly, the Raptor boasts a 145km electric-only driving range according to NEDC (or 115km according to WLTP) testing, as well as a total range of more than 1000km in its highest grade.

This comes thanks to a large (for a hybrid) 27.5kWh battery as part of GWM’s 'Hi4' hybrid platform, which it says allows charging from 30 to 80 per cent in 28 minutes at 41kW, or from five to 100 per cent over 4.4 hours with 6.6kW charging.

The ‘standard’ version has a smaller battery with a 102km NEDC or 81km WLTP range. 

At 4800mm long (with the spare tyre mounted), 1916mm wide, 1822mm tall and with a 2738mm wheelbase, the Raptor comes in not too far from the size of a Defender 110, much like its styling suggests.

For the off-roaders, its 30-degree approach and 19-degree departure angles plus 200mm ground clearance aren’t exactly ground-breaking.

For reference, a Defender boasts an approach of 38 degrees and departure of 40 degrees.

There’s little likelihood the Raptor will make it to Australia - especially not with that name - though it shouldn’t be ruled out.

The Tank 300 is already here, having sold 386 units since so far this year since launch in the first quarter.