GWM's first V8 in Australia may go without hybrid assistance

GWM Australia has once again promised its first V8-powered model will touch down here in 2027, and it may not be augmented by hybrid technology as initially expected.

Speaking with CarExpert at the launch of the new H7 mid-size SUV, chief operating officer for GWM Australia and New Zealand, John Kett, said a V8 model will "certainly" join the range next year.

"Certainly you'll see at least one V8 next year," Mr Kett said. When quizzed as to whether the ground-breaking eight-cylinder model will include hybrid tech, Mr Kett replied: "No, the V8 will be V8".

GWM has previously confirmed two V8 powertrains, a high-performance V8 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) for the Chinese brand's upcoming 'GF' supercar, as well as the Tank 700 off-road SUV. It appears Mr Kett is referring to the latter for Australia in 2027.

In May, GWM global chairman Jack Wei confirmed the Tank 700 will offer a V8 engine as a potential addition for markets including Australia and New Zealand.

"In the future, the Tank 700 will also use a V8 engine. The supercar uses a high-performance V8, while the Tank 700 uses a normal V8," Mr Wei told media at the Beijing motor show..

"This is completely opposite to the current environment or trend in China… We developed this V8 to meet the needs of more global users, in markets such as Australia and New Zealand."

The supercar Mr Wei is referring to is the aforementioned GWM GF also confirmed in Beijing, understood to be based on a carbon-fibre monocoque chassis and powered by a different version of the twin-turbo V8 powertrain teamed with a PHEV system, which is 'expected' to produce around 600kW of power and 1000Nm of torque.

Back in 2023, the GWM Tank 700 was initially revealed with a 386kW/750Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol PHEV powertrain and the company's 'Hi4-T' branding. The Tank 700 Hi4-T teams a nine-speed automatic transmission with mechanical four-wheel drive.

There is also a more road-focused 'Hi4-Z' powertrain variant that was launched in the Chinese market earlier this year. It teams a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with dual electric motors for electrified all-wheel drive, outputting 635kW/1195Nm.

A non-hybrid V8 version could serve as a performance flagship for off-road enthusiasts, giving GWM a cut-price alternative to the likes of the turbo V8-powered Mercedes-AMG G63 and Land Rover Defender OCTA.

GWM's Tank sub-brand currently offers the Tank 300 and Tank 500 off-road SUVs with a mix of plug-in hybrid and turbo-diesel powertrains.

GWM ANZ's head of marketing and communications, Steve Maciver, told media at the launch of the H7 that the Chinese brand is working towards becoming a top-five brand Down Under, with a number of new model launches scheduled for 2027.

Based on VFACTS new-vehicle sales figures for 2025, GWM would need more than 78,000 registrations in a calendar year to pip fifth-placed Hyundai (77,208), and more than 83,000 to overtake fourth-placed Kia (82,105).

So far in 2026, GWM sales are up 12.8 per cent to 49,376 units to October 31, and the Chinese brand currently sits in seventh place overall in the auto brand sales race – still more than 11,000 behind sixth-placed Hyundai.

GWM is currently Australia's second most popular Chinese brand behind BYD (86,639), leading Chery (42,339) and MG (41,508), which are currently tracking in eighth and ninth positions, respectively.

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