GWM Shanhai Cannon New Energy

Model Overview

The Shanhai Cannon Hi4-T is a plug-in hybrid full-size pick-up truck launched under Great Wall Motor's GWM Cannon marque. Built on the GWM Tank platform's Super Hybrid Hi4-T architecture, it is positioned as the "world's first off-road hybrid pick-up". The pick-up made its global debut and opened for pre-orders at the Shanghai Auto Show on 23 April 2025, before officially going on sale on 23 June of the same year. It is offered in two variants: the Global Edition and the Performance Edition, priced at RM228,800 and RM249,800 respectively. Also launched alongside was the petrol-powered Shanhai Cannon 2.4T Global Edition, priced at RM193,800. Pitched with the core appeal of "power on demand, electric drive at will, and uncompromising fuel efficiency", its key rivals include the Zhengzhou Nissan Z9 GE PHEV, JAC Hunter PHEV, and Geely Radar King Kong PHEV.

Design Language

The Shanhai Cannon Hi4-T retains the imposing, rugged styling of its internal combustion counterpart. Up front, it features a massive polygonal grille with bold horizontal slats, dominated by an oversized brand emblem that delivers strong visual presence. The Global Edition gets a darkened finish on the grille and badge for a sportier aesthetic. The headlamp clusters merge seamlessly into the grille and house matrix LED units, while the sturdy black lower bumper integrates a winch and front recovery hooks at the centre.

From the side, it adopts a classic double-cab pick-up profile defined by muscular body lines, flared wheel arches, and functional side steps. The Performance Edition adds a factory-fitted raised air intake snorkel along the front passenger-side A-pillar reaching up to roof height. Around the back, vertically oriented smoked-black tail lamps lend a distinctive three-dimensional look. Dimension-wise, the Global Edition measures 5,440 mm in length, 1,991 mm in width, and 1,945 mm in height, while the Performance Edition stands at 5,462 mm long, 1,992 mm wide, and 1,960 mm tall; both share an identical wheelbase of 3,350 mm. The cargo bed measures 1,500 × 1,520 × 500 mm.

Inside, the cabin features a wraparound cockpit layout with a clean T-shaped dashboard. Equipment includes a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, a 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster, a 14.6-inch floating infotainment touchscreen, and an electronic gear selector. A passenger-side grab handle is integrated into the dashboard to emphasise its genuine off-road credentials. The seats are trimmed in premium leatherette, with the rear seat backrest reclining up to an angle of 33° across an expansive lateral cabin width of 1.6 metres.

Powertrain & Performance

Powering the Shanhai Cannon Hi4-T is a plug-in hybrid system pairing a 2.0-litre turbocharged Miller-cycle hybrid-specific engine with a P2 front electric motor. The engine produces 185 kW, while the electric motor generates 120 kW, delivering a combined system output of 300 kW and a peak torque of 750 Nm, mated to a 9HAT hybrid-dedicated automatic transmission. The official 0-100 km/h sprint is completed in 7.2 seconds.

Energy is stored in a 37.1 kWh ternary lithium battery pack. It yields an NEDC pure electric driving range of 115 km and an NEDC combined cruising range of over 1,000 km. DC fast charging is supported up to 50 kW, taking just 24 minutes to juice up from 30% to 80% state of charge. Drivers can toggle between Pure Electric, Hybrid, and Intelligent drive modes. NEDC combined fuel consumption is rated at 1.7 L/100 km, with a depleted-battery fuel consumption of 7.9 L/100 km, supported by a 75-litre fuel tank. It also features a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) external power discharge capacity of up to 6 kW, alongside a 220V (2.2 kW) auxiliary power outlet in the cargo bed.

Chassis & Handling

The Shanhai Cannon Hi4-T is underpinned by a robust ladder-frame body-on-frame chassis. The suspension setup comprises a front double-wishbone independent suspension with coil springs and a rear five-link non-independent solid axle with coil springs. Minimum ground clearance stands at 215 mm on the Global Edition and 232 mm on the Performance Edition. Approach and departure angles are 29°/21° and 30°/23° respectively. Maximum wading depth is rated at 800 mm for the Global Edition and up to 900 mm for the Performance Edition.

Drivetrain duties are handled by a BorgWarner 4A+MLock intelligent electronically controlled 4WD system (dual-speed transfer case + MLOCK), utilising a mechanically connected non-decoupled 4WD layout where the front and rear axles remain rigidly linked via a central propshaft. It is equipped with three differential locks (front axle lock is optional), capable of sending 100% of available torque to a single wheel. Selectable drive modes include AWD, 2H, 4H, and 4L, complemented by 9 all-terrain driving modes (including Expert Mode), Crawl Control, and Tank Turn functionality. Factory equipment includes a certified 3.3-tonne towing rating.

Cabin & Equipment

In terms of in-car technology, the Shanhai Cannon Hi4-T features a 14.6-inch floating infotainment touchscreen alongside a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The system supports intelligent voice command, connected car services, 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, OTA remote updates, and smartphone remote app control. The 2025 model year update adds a manual anti-glare interior rear-view mirror as standard, though it omits Huawei HiCar smartphone screen-mirroring. Comfort options encompass a heated steering wheel, genuine leather upholstery, driver’s seat lumbar support and memory settings, ventilated and heated front seats, second-row seat memory, and a digital streaming rear-view mirror. GWM also offers two optional upgrade packages priced at RM7,000 each (Comfort Package and Utility Package) for customisation. The cargo bed is fitted with 24 matrix tie-down anchor points, 4 utility hooks, and 4 pre-wired power points (Performance Edition).

Safety & Driver Assistance

On the safety front, the Shanhai Cannon Hi4-T has earned dual five-star crash safety ratings from both C-NCAP and ANCAP, as well as triple Good (G) top scores in the C-IASI safety evaluations. High-strength steel accounts for 64.3% of the vehicle structure, complemented by heavy-duty crash beams, a collapsible steering column, and an automatic fuel cut-off system upon impact. The traction battery pack is cradled within the chassis frame rails with over 400 mm of ground clearance, protected by heavy-duty underbody plating and three-layer anti-scratch coatings against bottoming out or rock strikes.

Active safety is bolstered by a standard Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). Highlights include a 360° surround-view camera, 540° transparent underbody chassis view, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and AutoNavi navigation. A blind-spot monitoring camera system is also included.

Market Performance & Reception

The Shanhai Cannon Hi4-T serves as GWM’s spearhead model ushering in the brand’s "New Energy Pick-up Era". In 2025, GWM Pick-up commanded nearly 50% of China’s pick-up market with total deliveries of around 260,000 units, securing the nation’s pick-up sales crown for the 26th consecutive year; the flagship Shanhai Cannon line-up registered annual deliveries of approximately 42,000 units, dominating the premium pick-up segment priced above RM200,000. The Shanhai Cannon Hi4-T has steadily built market traction since launch, recording 223 units in April 2026. Industry reviews highlight that with its hardcore mechanical 4WD hardware, triple differential locks, potent 300 kW/750 Nm output, and 115 km EV range, the Shanhai Cannon Hi4-T delivers a compelling, differentiated proposition in the new energy pick-up arena. Minor drawbacks noted include the omission of Huawei HiCar in the 2025 update, which drew remarks from tech-focused buyers. Positioned as GWM Cannon's electrified flagship, the Shanhai Cannon Hi4-T has firmly established itself as a benchmark in the high-end hybrid pick-up market, delivering true dual-purpose versatility as both a rugged off-roader and a refined family lifestyle hauler.