Hold My Beer: GWM goes five-from-five on Beer O’Clock Hill

After disrupting the off-road establishment in 2025, GWM has once again proven its credentials on one of Australia’s most punishing off-road climbs. What began as a bold challenge last year has now become a benchmark for the brand.

Returning to the legendary Beer O’Clock Hill this month, GWM has now achieved a perfect five-from-five result, with every vehicle attempting the climb successfully reaching the summit. The result further reinforces GWM’s world-class engineering and 4x4 technology underlining its ability to thrive even in the harshest of terrains.

In its latest powerful demonstration of real-world capability, GWM completed the ascent with the new Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV and Tank 500 Hi4-T PHEV. This comes on the back of successful climbs in the Cannon XSR (full production-spec), Cannon Alpha Hi4-T PHEV and Tank 300 Diesel (both fitted with Mickey Thompson A/T tyres).

Most notably, the new Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV completed the climb in full production specification on standard highway tyres, not just on aggressive all-terrain tyres, underscoring the strength of GWM’s Hi4-T electrified off-road architecture.

Critically, every GWM vehicle completed the climb without mechanical modifications, calibration changes, or software upgrades. These are the same vehicles customers can drive off the lot, take home and tackle off-road challenges like Beer O’Clock Hill without any special preparation.

Electrification without compromise

At the heart of this achievement is GWM’s dedicated off-road plug-in hybrid system, Hi4-T, which forms the foundation of the brand’s electrified capability. Hi4-T is engineered to deliver maximum torque, precise traction control, and sustained climbing performance in extreme terrain, giving every vehicle the confidence to tackle challenges like Beer O’Clock Hill without compromise. Unlike conventional hybrid systems designed primarily for efficiency, Hi4-T integrates electrification directly into the off-road platform, combining true 4x4 mechanical linkages with locking differentials and a low-range transfer case to deliver exceptional low-speed torque and grip.

Three of the five GWM models that successfully conquered Beer O’Clock Hill were powered by the brand’s class-leading Hi4-T technology, while the other two were equipped with GWM’s 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine.

Steve Maciver, Head of Marketing & Communications at GWM Australia & New Zealand, said the result demonstrates that new energy vehicles can deliver at the highest level, without compromise.

“Beer O’Clock Hill is becoming one of the toughest proving grounds for any off-road vehicle in Australia. Having no less than five vehicles across the range conquering Beer O’Clock Hill is something we are incredibly proud of, but certainly not surprised,” said Mr. Maciver.

“The latest Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV climbing the hill on highway tyres speaks volumes about the engineering behind the Hi4-T system. This electrification is designed for real off-road performance, delivering instant torque, precise traction and relentless climbing ability. New Energy Vehicles should enhance capability, not limit it, and what we have demonstrated is that GWM’s technology delivers both efficiency and serious off-road performance, without compromise.”

Proven off-road credentials

The successful climb also reinforces the off-road DNA embedded within GWM’s specialist brands, including TANK and Cannon, which are engineered from the outset for demanding environments.

The message is simple. GWM’s purpose-built engineering delivers real-world results.

As GWM continues to expand its portfolio of electrified vehicles, the result at Beer O’Clock Hill highlights the company’s philosophy and transition to new energy is the right one, adding capability, not compromising it.

Head to GWM Beer O'Clock Climb to watch the video of this incredible achievement.