The Cannon Alpha petrol-electric looks to set to be well-established before equivalents off popular types arrive.

BLUE Oval hope of its Ranger plug-in being the first full hybrid all-wheel-drive dual-cab ute to market seems set to be dashed by a usurper from China.

Intent by GWM - shorthand for Great Wall Motors - to add a petrol-electric version of its Cannon Alpha to its growing local product portfolio by mid year means that derivative is set to gazzump the Ford New Zealand gameplay by at least six months. It also beats into play the Toyota Hilux hybrid, which in any case is much less advanced on the technology side, being restricted to a 48 volt system.

GWM has yet to say what price the hybrid will command or how it will specify. That information is not far away, however, as a June release seems possible.

The hybrid powertrain pairs a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder with an electric motor for a combined output of 255kW/648Nm.

That makes it more potent than the 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6-powered Ford Ranger, which makes 184kW/600Nm, and comes close to matching the Ranger Raptor’s 292kW/583Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6.

GWM’s powertrain is already employed in the GWM Tank 300 and 500 series vehicles.  

In addition to delivering what could be a handy technology edge - but not to full commitment, as the make will also offer the Cannon Alpha with a turbodiesel - the new product will also establish as a extra-large choice in the sector, being bigger all round than the Kiwi-favoured one-tonners though also smaller than the likes of the Ford F-150, Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado.

At 5445mm long, 1991mm wide and 1924mm tall it is longer, higher and wider than Ranger and Toyota Hilux, and also has a longer wheelbase (3350mm versus 3220mm for Ranger). 

It is also 35mm longer overall, 57mm wider, 38mm taller, and 120mm longer in wheelbase than a regular GWM Ute.

GWM says the Cannon Alpha embodies premium design, excellent on- and off-road performance, smart technology, strength and capability.

The model’s alternate diesel is a 2.4-litre four-cylinder whose stated outputs of 135kW/480Nm are 5kW shy and 30Nm above that from the 3.0-litre Isuzu D-Max (and soon-to-go Mazda BT-50). IT also compares well to the 150kW/470Nm 2.4-litre Mitsubishi Triton and 150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre Toyota HiLux. 

Both GWM powerplants are mated to a GWM-developed nine-speed automatic transmission. There is also a three-mode all-terrain drive mode selector that can lock the front and rear differentials, as well as make use of the Borg Warner-sourced 4x4 transfer case.

Maximum braked towing capacity for both powertrains is 3500kg.

Adding to the Cannon Alpha’s versatility is an optional smart 60/40 split rear tailgate. This opens in two different ways. A short press on the button provides access to the rear tub via the 60/40 opening. A longer press releases the full tailgate which is supported by a hydraulic damper. 

Inside, there is a 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 10-speaker sound system, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charger, Nappa leather upholstery and heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats.