GWM vs Beer O'clock Hill - Cannon Alpha PHEV, Cannon XSR, Tank 300 TD

GWM proves its 4x4 capability with not one, not two, but THREE of its current 4x4 vehicles. Up in Queensland The Springs 4x4 Park, all three vehicles were put through their paces and taken up the infamous Beer O’clock Hill climb. 100 meters of steep incline which has claimed a handful of vehicles, broken numerous drivetrain components, and bruised many 4wder egos. With 3 key rock steps, many modified 4x4 vehicles do not even make it pass the first step let alone making it all the way. Water trap at the bottom, slippery incline, sharp and unforgiving rocks, up to 50 degrees at the middle rock face, and huge holes left behind by vehicles on 35 inch or larger tyres, this hill is NOT for the faint of heart.

So what does GWM do? Put the Cannon Alpha PHEV, Cannon XSR, and a Tank 300 diesel up it with nothing but a set of All Terrain Tyres. Deeply impressing our experts and setting two records for the park as well. Let’s suss out other parts of the park before we go into the main event!

Kicking off at the Mickey Thompson test track, Simon from 4wd TV and Lucas from Team Bree Off-road had a play around with the vehicles. For those who do not know, let’s begin with a bit of an introduction.

The Cannon Alpha PHEV is one of the first plug-in hybrid utes in Australia and the only one currently with a proper 4x4 system. Built on what GWM calls the Hi4T plug-in hybrid system, it is powered by a 2.0 litre turbo-charged petrol engine. Mated to a 9 speed automatic, an electric motor is integrated with the torque converter and sandwiched between the engine and the gearbox. This means on your day to day, you can drive up to 115km in EV mode, isolating the engine. Or drive in hybrid mode and indulge in 300kW of power and 750Nm of torque. Running Borg Warner transfer case, it has a proper 4x4 low range sending power 50:50 to the front and rear axle. This particular Alpha shown is an Ultra, or top of the range. As for hardware, independent front axles, multilink coil sprung live axle rear, 4x4 low range, front and rear diff lock as standard, it’s no wonder GWM is confident in putting it through its paces pretty much STOCK. Loving it with the massive wheel lifts, car swallowing ruts, and being on quite the angle.

The Cannon XSR!! Being the off-road focus variant, it has a 2.4 litre turbo diesel engine mated to a 9 speed automatic, part time 4wd system, standard front and rear diff locks, and a few terrain drive modes. Steel front and rear bumpers, Cooper all terrain tyres together gives it a better approach and departure angle. Watch how easily it takes on the test track and other parts of the park. Running independent front axle and leaf sprung live axle rear, it never shy away from work or play.

The Tank 300 Ultra diesel is a perfect blend of insane purposeful design, off-road capability, with incredible on-road comfort and luxury. It too runs a 2.4 litre turbo diesel engine mated to a 9 speed automatic. Borg Warner transfer case and part time 4x4 system. Locking the power 50:50 front and rear axle, with the inclusion of standard front and rear diff locks, this makes it a true 4x4. This here is box standard Tank 300 running highway terrain Michelin tyres. Only when attempting Beer O’clock hill were the All Terrains fitted onto the vehicle. No lift kits, no modification to the control arms or diffs. Once again, for all intent and purposes, stock from the factory.

The time has finally COME! Beer O’clock hill! Lucas, the owner of the Springs have said this hill probably accumulated $1 million dollars of damages in written off vehicles, blown up diffs and transmissions, tyres being destroyed, and the most most common one, CV’s that simply decided to leave the chat.

For this next bit I am going to keep quiet so you can enjoy the climbs. First up, Cannon Alpha PHEV with BF Goodrich K03 all terrain tyres. It got SO close! Now let’s watch it from another angle. The exact same Cannon Alpha Hi4T came back again, this time equipped with Mickey Thompson’s Baja Boss all terrains and on the 26th May 2025,the first PHEV or Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle EVER to conquer Beer O’clock Hill.

Next, is the Cannon XSR, box standard from the factory it came equipped with a set of Cooper all terrains. Setting yet another record on the 21st of May 2025 being the second factory stock vehicle to ever scale Beer O’clock Hill!! The only other stock vehicle managed to do that was an Ineos Grenadier. Looks how effortless it was with Mickey Thompson Baja Boss All Terrains!

Finally, the Tank 300 Ultra diesel. Although no official record was set, it was extremely impressive! Shocking the 4wd experts that a stock vehicle with just a set of all terrain tyres could successfully scale this gnarly hill. Then once again, with a set of Mickey Thompson’s, it just walked up the hill.

And as a true testimony to the toughness of the vehicles, after multiple runs on Beer O'clock Hill, these vehicles all drove two hours back to Brisbane.