GWM Cannon Alpha, Tank 500 update announced to address ‘overzealous’ safety features

GWM has announced a software update for the GWM Cannon Alpha ute and Tank 500 4WD following criticisms from customers and media that their advanced safety technology is too intrusive and overzealous.

The new software revises the calibration of key safety systems in the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500, as well as rolls out further changes to ute, including a fix for a 'sticky throttle' issue identified by customers.

GWM says the first newly-produced vehicles with the updated software are due to arrive in Australia in January 2025 – pending any delays – with the revisions to be made available for existing customers by the middle of the year.

It will require owners to return to a dealership for the software to be flashed, rather than downloading it over-the-air at home.

Improvements for both models are intended to address criticisms of the new ute and SUV since they launched earlier this year.

GWM has confirmed the following changes for both the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 (sections in quotes are as described by GWM Australia):

• Driver attention monitoring system (or DMS)
  • "Distraction on/off switch + memory (no longer default on every cycle, will retain previous setting)"
  • "Fatigue alert changed from “Please take a break” to an alert sound and volume lowered"
• Emergency lane-keep assist (ELK)
  • "Increased local road scenarios to reduce false alerts"
  • "Visual alert changed to simulation lane flash on graphics"
  • "Switch off button added on short cut screen (swipe down on info screen)"
• Adaptive cruise control
  • "Reduced the impact of intelligent corner, reducing the likelihood of car slowing down too much while cornering"
  • "Acceleration has been increased allowing vehicle to respond quicker and therefore reducing the gap between vehicles"

All Cannon Alpha utes will gain a tow hitch guideline in the reversing camera, while the following revisions have been made to hybrid versions after they were criticised for jerky behaviour at low speeds (as described by GWM):

• "On both modes – “the Alpha does not feel like 255kW and 648Nm”. We have improved overall throttle response to overcome this feeling.
• "Improvements on “engine runaway” or “sticky throttle” after full or heavy throttle input. We have lowered the rev hang and increased regen to improve this."
• "Normal mode – Sometimes a lag is experienced during the transition from EV to hybrid mode. We have adjusted the hybrid mode engagement logic."
• "Sport mode – We have sharpened the throttle response and engine response while maintaining smooth gear changes."

The 'sticky throttle' described refers to low-speed driving scenarios where the driver pushes on the accelerator pedal to enter a gap in traffic, but backs off quickly, only for the car to experience a moment of 'lag' and continue applying power for a second after the driver has lifted off.

It has begun testing how quickly – and how aggressively – these systems react, following criticism of the crash-test organisation for requiring lane-keeping technology in its criteria for a five-star rating without ensuring what car brans implement is genuinely effective.

Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.

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