Beginning February 1, Great Wall Motor will commence sales in Russia of a refreshed variant of its flagship hybrid SUV, the Tank 500 Urban. The brand’s press service confirmed the rollout, with a price tag set at 6.3 million rubles. This move marks another milestone in the automaker’s push to introduce modern, hybrid-electric technologies to the Russian market, expanding its footprint amid evolving consumer demand for versatile, high-end SUVs.
The Tank 500 Urban’s propulsion system combines a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission and an integrated electric motor that delivers 54 horsepower. A traction lithium battery with a 17.5 kWh capacity provides a supplemental energy reserve, enabling segments of the drive to rely on electricity for smoother city travel or short-range efficiency. The configuration yields a total system output of 299 horsepower, and the SUV sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, underscoring its performance-oriented design alongside its hybrid efficiency.
Inside, the vehicle offers a seven-seat arrangement with flexible seating options, including folding seats in the second and third rows. This setup is intended to accommodate family trips, cargo versatility, and varying passenger needs without compromising comfort or practicality on longer journeys.
In a broader context, the Russian automotive market has seen significant activity from Chinese brands over the past year. Reports indicate that 19 new car brands from China entered the market, expanding the lineup to include Jaecoo, Jetour, Baic, Kaiyi, Voyah, Livan, Ora, Forthing, Skywell, SWM, Honqi, Dongfeng, Li Xiang, Haima, Jetta, Wey, Aito, Rising, and Venucia. This brings the total number of Chinese brands available in Russia to 29, underscoring a robust wave of product diversification and competition aimed at Russian buyers seeking value, technology, and style in modern crossovers and SUVs.
Additionally, market chatter has referenced ambitious developments from other Chinese automakers, including speculation about ultra-high-performance electric or hybrid SUVs. One widely discussed example mentioned a Chinese electric SUV with a powertrain delivering around 1,200 horsepower. While details remain subject to official disclosures, the broader implication is clear: high-performance, technologically advanced Chinese models are increasingly targeting the Russian market, expanding consumer choice and stimulating the evolution of local dealer networks and aftersales support.