GWM South Africa has given local bakkie buyers something to look forward to after teasing a new 3.0-litre turbodiesel version of its flagship P500.

The announcement comes just days after the new powertrain made its debut in Australia, where it was launched this week as part of the updated Cannon Alpha range. Now, GWM has confirmed that the same engine is heading to South Africa.

While full local specifications have yet to be revealed, the teaser confirms that the larger diesel engine is on its way, expanding the P500 range with what is expected to be its most capable powertrain yet.

The current GWM P500 is already available with a 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine, but the introduction of a 3.0-litre unit is likely to appeal to buyers looking for greater towing capability, stronger low-end torque and improved performance, particularly when carrying heavy loads or tackling demanding off-road terrain.

The move also positions the P500 as an even stronger rival to established contenders such as the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max and Volkswagen Amarok, all of which continue to dominate South Africa’s highly competitive double-cab market.

Although GWM has yet to confirm the South African model’s power and torque figures, the Australian-spec 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel produces 184kW and 600Nm, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. Whether these figures carry over to the local model remains to be seen.

The teaser follows GWM’s continued expansion of its local bakkie line-up, with the P500 positioned as the brand’s premium offering thanks to its bold styling, spacious cabin and long list of standard features.

Pricing, final specifications and a local launch date for the GWM P500 3.0-litre turbodiesel will be announced closer to its South African arrival.