GWM Cannon Alpha has been discontinued — this model is no longer sold new in South Africa. All specifications, variants and pricing shown below are for historical reference. See current GWM models still on sale.
Pickup Diesel Automatic 4WD 5-seat

GWM Cannon Alpha

Historical South African specifications and last-listed pricing

Model year 2026 Generation First generation, derived from GWM's premium pickup platform launched in China in 2023. Local specification leans toward higher equipment loading and softer suspension calibration versus the Chinese-domestic version, with adjustments for South African fuel quality and aftersales support requirements. Body style SUV
Cannon Alpha is a discontinued South African Pickup with historical specifications for used-car research.
ZAR 829,900 · last listed
Last listed price ZAR 829,900
Engine:2378cc (2.4L) Torque:480Nm (354 lb-ft) Ground Clearance:220mm (8.7″) Power:135kW (181 bhp) Boot450L (15.9 cu ft)

Hover or tap any pill for a plain-English explanation. Bracketed values show common equivalents (bhp, lb-ft, inches, cu ft).

Fuel Economy km/l · US mpg equivalent
Combined 10.2 km/l (24 mpg)
City 7.8 km/l (18 mpg)
Highway 11.8 km/l (28 mpg)

Historical pricing is retained for reference, not as a current dealer offer. Verify the exact used vehicle's condition, equipment and build date before purchase.

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Hagalu editorial rating: Not yet rated

Vehicle specifications and buying guidance • Hagalu

GWM Cannon Alpha

Cannon Alpha is a discontinued South African Pickup with historical specifications for used-car research.

The Cannon Alpha is GWM's most expensive bakkie sold in South Africa, sitting at the top of the company's pickup hierarchy and competing directly with the Hilux Legend, Ranger Wildtrak and Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana for the lifestyle bakkie flagship pound. Priced from R699,900 for the Double Cab LS 4x4 to R829,900 for the Double Cab LX 4x4 flagship, it sits R100,000 above the regular Cannon and brings a different powertrain, a more sophisticated chassis and equipment levels that would normally require six-figure premiums on European rivals. The Alpha runs GWM's 2.4-litre GW4D24 turbocharged diesel, producing 135 kW and 480 Nm of torque. That's a 25 kW and 80 Nm increase over the Cannon's 2.0-litre, and brings the Alpha into the same horsepower territory as the Hilux 2.8 GD-6 (150 kW / 500 Nm) and the Ranger 2.0 Bi-Turbo (154 kW / 500 Nm). The transmission is a 9-speed torque-converter automatic — one ratio more than the Cannon and tuned for closer-spaced shifts that keep the larger engine in its torque sweet spot. Drive type is full-time 4WD with selectable low-range, a substantial step up from the part-time 4x4 on the Cannon LX. Independent double-wishbone up front, multi-link coil-sprung live axle at the rear — the coil-sprung rear is the same architecture used on the Ranger Wildtrak and the Amarok, and it delivers a noticeably smoother ride than the leaf-sprung Cannon. Payload drops to 900 kg as a result (versus 930 kg on Cannon), but for the lifestyle buyer this is irrelevant. Front and rear locking differentials (Hilux Legend has only rear; Ranger Wildtrak has rear plus locking centre). On a comparison test against the Hilux Legend and Ranger Wildtrak at a 4x4 facility outside Johannesburg, the Alpha's off-road capability is genuinely competitive with the established Japanese and American rivals. The Cannon Alpha is not best understood by one headline number. Its appeal comes from the interaction between a 4x4 AWD drivetrain, a four-wheel drive drivetrain and a listed payload of 900. Cannon Alpha is discontinued in South Africa, so a used example should be judged by condition, service history, parts support and remaining cover rather than a new-car price promise

GWM Cannon Alpha — Quick Facts

GWM Cannon Alpha Variants & Prices

Pick up to 3 variants, hit Compare Variants and you'll get a proper side-by-side spec breakdown.

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Uncheck one of the selected variants below before choosing another.
Cmp Variant Trim Fuel Efficiency / range Transmission Price
2.4T Double Cab LS 4x4 Discontinued Base Diesel Efficiency10.2 km/l Automatic ZAR 699,900last listed
2.4T Double Cab LT 4x4 Discontinued Top Diesel Efficiency10.2 km/l Automatic ZAR 759,900last listed
2.4T Double Cab LX 4x4 Discontinued Flagship Diesel Efficiency10.2 km/l Automatic ZAR 829,900last listed
Cmp Variant Trim Fuel Efficiency / range Transmission Price
2.4T Double Cab LS 4x4 Discontinued Base Diesel Efficiency10.2 km/l Automatic ZAR 699,900last listed
2.4T Double Cab LT 4x4 Discontinued Top Diesel Efficiency10.2 km/l Automatic ZAR 759,900last listed
2.4T Double Cab LX 4x4 Discontinued Flagship Diesel Efficiency10.2 km/l Automatic ZAR 829,900last listed
2 variants selected
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GWM Cannon Alpha Specifications

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Driving fit

Where the GWM Cannon Alpha Fits Best

A practical view of the buyer and roads this model is best suited to.

Who buys this

The full-time AWD system means the Alpha can be driven on tar in 4x4 mode without binding the drivetrain, which makes it more usable for the South African lifestyle bakkie buyer who occasionally hits gravel without wanting to manually engage 4x4 each time. A shopper researching Cannon Alpha should separate need from showroom appeal. If a 4x4 AWD drivetrain solves a problem every week, it deserves real consideration

City
Cabin equipment is where the Alpha turns the segment value equation on its head. Around town, Cannon Alpha should be judged by repetition rather than a single burst of acceleration. The relevance of the First generation, derived from GWM's premium pickup platform launched in China in 2023. Local specification leans toward higher equipment loading and softer suspension calibration versus the Chinese-domestic version, with adjustments for South African fuel quality and aftersales support requirements generation becomes obvious on a busy weekday, while local history of First-generation Cannon Alpha — launched in South Africa in mid-2024 with no model-year facelift to date. Software updates have refined the driver-assistance calibration for South African driving conditions and improved the 9-speed automatic shift mapping based on local fleet feedback is worth checking before a purchase built around tight parking or frequent loading
Highway
Real-world performance feels markedly stronger than the Cannon — 0-100 km/h takes around 11.5 seconds versus 13.0 for the Cannon, and overtaking response from 80–120 km/h is noticeably more urgent. On a South African freeway or inter-city road, take the Cannon Alpha out with the load it normally carries. A four-wheel drive drivetrain gives context, but a number cannot show how a listed payload of 900 feels on a gradient
Off-Road
If the Cannon Alpha will leave smooth tar, test the actual road rather than the image around it. Check local history of First-generation Cannon Alpha — launched in South Africa in mid-2024 with no model-year facelift to date. Software updates have refined the driver-assistance calibration for South African driving conditions and improved the 9-speed automatic shift mapping based on local fleet feedback against the stated drivetrain

GWM Cannon Alpha — Should You Buy It?

Not yet rated: no complete Hagalu editorial review is published for this model range. The buyer guidance below is not a scored review.

A used-buying option only when condition, history and remaining support justify the price.

The Ranger Wildtrak at R1,070,000 doesn't have the cool box, doesn't have rear-seat heating, and has a smaller 12-inch screen. Cannon Alpha is easiest to recommend when the buyer can point to a concrete benefit in a 4x4 AWD drivetrain and accept the limitation represented by the 2024 model year. A fair review of Cannon Alpha should end with the owner’s route, not a universal verdict. The combination of a 8-Speed Automatic transmission, a 4x4 AWD drivetrain and a four-wheel drive drivetrain can be valuable for the right driver for Cannon Alpha. The same package may feel expensive or inconvenient if the vehicle spends its life in a different role for Cannon Alpha. Drive the exact version loaded as it will be used, then read the service, warranty, tyre and insurance costs beside the purchase price for Cannon Alpha

What's Good
  • ✓Body style: Pickup
  • ✓Fuel type: Diesel
  • ✓Engine: 2.4-litre Turbocharged Diesel
  • ✓Power output: 135 kW @ 3600 rpm
  • ✓Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
  • ✓Gearbox: 8-Speed Automatic
  • ✓Drivetrain: 4x4 AWD
  • ✓Drive layout: 4WD
  • ✓Payload: 900
Watch Out For
  • ✕Exact equipment for Cannon Alpha can vary by derivative.
  • ✕Real fuel use for Cannon Alpha depends on route, load and weather.
  • ✕The written Cannon Alpha quotation should be checked before purchase.
  • ✕Tyre, insurance and service costs need a separate Cannon Alpha budget.
  • ✕A short Cannon Alpha test drive cannot represent every ownership route.
  • ✕Cannon Alpha capability should not be inferred from body styling alone.
  • ✕The adjacent Cannon Alpha grade may suit a different workload.
  • ✕Published Cannon Alpha figures are planning references, not guarantees.
  • ✕Buyers should confirm Cannon Alpha stock and support terms.

GWM Cannon Alpha FAQs

The retained historical listing for the GWM Cannon Alpha shows R699,900 to R829,900, depending on the derivative. These are reference prices from its period on sale, not current new-vehicle offers.

The full-time AWD system means the Alpha can be driven on tar in 4x4 mode without binding the drivetrain, which makes it more usable for the South African lifestyle bakkie buyer who occasionally hits gravel without wanting to manually engage 4x4 each time. A shopper researching Cannon Alpha...

Cabin equipment is where the Alpha turns the segment value equation on its head. Around town, Cannon Alpha should be judged by repetition rather than a single burst of acceleration.

Real-world performance feels markedly stronger than the Cannon — 0-100 km/h takes around 11.5 seconds versus 13.0 for the Cannon, and overtaking response from 80–120 km/h is noticeably more urgent. On a South African freeway or inter-city road, take the Cannon Alpha out with the load it normally...

Buyers researching the GWM Cannon Alpha often compare it with rivals such as Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Double Cab , Changan Hunter K50 REEV , Ford Ranger Wildtrak , LDV Terron 9 , RIDDARA RD6 . Comparing them side by side is the quickest way to see where your money goes — performance, fuel use, price and running costs can differ substantially.

Compare GWM Cannon Alpha with Similar Pickups

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Archive

Discontinued & Earlier GWM Models

Historical model pages remain available without competing with vehicles currently on sale.

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