GWM Cannon hybrid conquers ‘Beer O’Clock’ hill

A rugged new ute from China has accomplished a feat that left rivals stranded, earning accolades from the four-wheel-drive community.

If you think both Chinese-made utes and the new generation of hybrid haulers are soft, then you’re in for a shock.

Chinese car maker GWM is claiming it has made it up the tortuous and testing Beer O’Clock Hill at The Springs 4X4 Park in south east Queensland, something only the toughest, most capable off-road vehicles can manage.

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GWM's Cannon ute on Beer O'Clock Hill. Picture: Supplied

The GWM Cannon XSR ute reportedly became only the second full production-specification (non-modified) vehicle to make it up the hill unassisted; matching the feet of the Ineos Grenadier.

But what was even more shocking for hybrid haters, is the Cannon Alpha PHEV (plug-in hybrid) became the first plug-in hybrid vehicle to make it up the slippery, challenging slope of Beer O’Clock Hill.

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The Cannon Alpha PHEV needed a set of all-terrain tyres, which aren’t standard equipment, but in climbing up the hill it managed to do what its most direct rival – the BYD Shark 6 – couldn’t.

The BYD infamously was unable to make it up Beer O’Clock Hill back in April, causing a flood of derision for Chinese-made and plug-in hybrid utes. Off-road enthusiasts threw around comments that hybrid ute owners should “keep dreaming” and “stay in your cities where you belong”, while also taking aim at BYD’s Chinese roots claiming it was “lucky the CCP didn’t remotely immobilise him part way up”.
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GWM's Cannon ute on Beer O'Clock Hill. Picture: Supplied

Lucas Bree is the owner of The Springs 4x4 Adventure Park and was behind the wheel for both the GWM and BYD attempts at his challenging test track. He was full of praise for the GWM, having initially assumed the GWM would suffer the same fate as the Shark 6.

“When GWM first reached out about testing on Beer O’Clock Hill, I was pleasantly surprised, but I’ll admit, I didn’t expect much,” Bree said. “That surprise quickly turned to shock when they rolled in with completely stock production vehicles. No lifts, no engine mods – just factory-spec GWM 4X4 vehicles.”

He admitted that it was rare for any non-modified car to make it up the incline, giving its rough and slippery nature, only to be shocked by its performance.

“But what happened next genuinely blew me away,” he said. “All these vehicles didn’t just attempt the climb – they powered through it. And then, without fuss, they turned around and drove back to Brisbane.

BYD Shark on Beer O'Clock Hill. Picture: Team Bree Offroad

“I reckon Beer O’Clock Hill has caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in vehicle damage over the years. Shut down some of the most heavily modified rigs I’ve seen, so watching showroom-spec GWM vehicles, including a plug-in hybrid, make it to the top has completely changed my view of the brand. They’ve earned serious respect.”

GWM has promised to release “full-length, unedited” video of all three vehicles making the climb “soon” to prove any doubters wrong.

Plug-in hybrid utes are expected to become the next key battleground for car brands, as they look to cater to Australia’s love of these off-road capable vehicles amid ever-stricter emissions legislation. Just this week Ford launched its hotly anticipated PHEV version of its best-selling Ranger ute to compete directly with the Shark 6 and Cannon Alpha PHEV.

Originally published as GWM Cannon hybrid conquers ‘Beer O’Clock’ hill