IN A POWERFUL DEMONSTRATION OF ENGINEERING strength and off-road prowess, GWM has firmly established itself as a serious player in Australia’s off-road landscape after a commanding performance by no less than three different vehicles at Beer O’Clock Hill — one of the country’s most infamous and technically demanding 4WD climbs.
Located at The Springs 4×4 Adventure Park in Queensland, Beer O’Clock Hill is a brutal 100-metre shale ascent featuring gradients up to 50 degrees through by three separate rock steps and a punishing rock ledge near the summit. So tough it’s only opened under strict supervision, the hill is widely recognised as a benchmark for the real off-road elite. Many capable off-road vehicles have tried, and many have failed.
n a standout showcase of strength, durability and advanced mechanical 4WD technology, GWM punished a fleet of new vehicles across multiple powertrains – including the recently released Cannon Alpha PHEV, Cannon XSR Diesel, and Tank 300 Diesel – and powered each one to the summit, setting new benchmarks not only for the brand, but for the broader off-road community.
The Cannon XSR earned its place in history as the second full production-spec vehicle ever to officially conquer Beer O’Clock Hill (following the INEOS Grenadier). Straight off the showroom floor, it demonstrated its off-road credentials with Cooper A/T tyres, front and rear locking differentials, high and low range gearing, and a rugged suspension setup that took the climb in stride.
The Tank 300 Diesel, fitted with all-terrain tyres (same as the Cannon XSR), followed with confidence — its factory-tuned capability and intelligent off-road systems proving it’s not just built tough, but built ready.
Then came the real game-changer: the Cannon Alpha PHEV. With no modifications beyond a set of all-terrain tyres, the PHEV ute made history as the first PHEV of any kind to scale Beer O’Clock Hill. Powered by GWM’s innovative Hi4-T platform, it delivered seamless electric torque and intelligent 4WD control — all while staying true to its production form. No lift kits. No tuning tweaks. Just pure capability.
Lucas Bree, owner of The Springs 4×4 Adventure Park, said he was taken aback by the vehicles’ performance. “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. That surprise quickly turned to shock when they rolled in with completely stock production vehicles. No lifts, no engine mods — just factory-spec GWM 4×4 vehicles.”
“But what happened next genuinely blew me away. 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. 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 proven time and again that our vehicles don’t just look the part, they’re built to perform, said Steve Maciver, Head of Marketing & Communications at GWM Australia. “Successfully conquering Beer O’Clock Hill is no small feat. Many try, few succeed. For GWM to take multiple vehicles across different powertrains — including the new PHEV — to the summit speaks volumes about the strength, technology, and real-world engineering behind our 4WD lineup. We’ve always known what our vehicles are capable of, but this achievement doesn’t just back up the promise, it delivers the proof.”