2021 GWM Baja Snake: Shelby distances itself from China’s off-road ute

The 2021 GWM Baja Snake ute was developed with no input from Shelby, despite initial reports to the contrary.

Unveiled at the 2021 Shanghai motor show last week, GWM's hardcore Baja Snake was purported to have been developed in collaboration with legendary American muscle car tuner Shelby, with input from the US outfit likely centring around the dual-cab's mechanical upgrades.

However, a spokesperson for Shelby in the US told website Carscoops in recent days “I know nothing about any such vehicle”, with the Shelby connection seemingly limited to inspiration taken from Shelby's snake logo in creating the GWM's Baja Snake name.

As a refresher, the Baja Snake differs from a standard GWM Ute at first glance through an overhauled exterior styling package, with a reworked front end featuring a snake tooth-inspired grille, wider wheel-arch flares, a large rear sail-plane, and a bulged bonnet with two 'nostril' vents.

Toyo rugged-terrain tyres with grey alloy wheels fill the arches, while a 50mm ride height increase and nitrogen-filled Fox Racing shock absorbers (the same brand fitted to the Ford Ranger Raptor) with 14 different settings also feature.

The 2021 GWM Baja Snake will go on sale in China later this year, however an Australian launch has yet to be confirmed.

MORE: 2021 GWM Baja Snake revealed: Tuned dual-cab ute debuts to rival Ford Ranger Raptor
MORE: Ute news and reviews
MORE: Everything GWM