GWM Ute Cannon-XSR: Australia-bound off-road ute aims at HiLux Rogue

GWM has given the Ute Cannon an off-road focused upgrade.

The new Cannon-XSR features a range of off-road hardware upgrades to back up its tougher new look, including a unique four-wheel drive system relative to the rest of the range.

That’s right, rather than the full-time four-wheel drive system standard across the GWM Ute range, the Cannon-XSR features a part-time system with 2H, 4H, and 4L settings, backed by locking differentials on both axles.

There’s a new crawl mode, something that features on the Toyota LandCruiser, as well as a system that brakes the inside wheels to allow you to turn tighter on loose surfaces.

There’s also a new underbody bash plate to protect the most important oily bits when the going gets tough, and a passive stabiliser bar up front.

The XSR rides on a new 18-inch alloy wheel wrapped in 256/65 all-terrain tyres, while the exterior also gains a snorkel, a unique grille and steel bumpers, and plenty of black cladding to differentiate it from the regular Cannon.

Also new is the option of a sunroof.

The Cannon-XSR is arriving at dealers imminently.

Power comes from the same 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine as the broader range, making 120kW of power and 400Nm of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard.

Pricing kicks off at $51,490 drive-away for ABN buyers, or $52,990 drive-away for private buyers. Five colours are on offer, with all barring white a $595 option.

Sales of the GWM Ute are up significantly on the same point in 2022, with 3150 delivered to date in 2023. It’s outsold the LDV T60 and Nissan Navara, and is chasing the Mitsubishi Triton.

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