GWM Wey opens pre-orders for V8X hybrid SUV with 402-km electric range

• The Wey V8X is built on GWM's Global One S platform and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.
• The 5,125-mm-long Wey V8X can be seen as a smaller version of the V9X.

GWM (HKEX: 2333) on Wednesday opened pre-orders for the Wey V8X, a large 5-seat flagship SUV whose pricing has yet to be announced.

The first display and test-drive vehicles are arriving at stores. Chinese customers who place orders can receive limited-time benefits, including a 2,000-yuan ($300) deposit that can be used to deduct 5,000 yuan from the final payment.

The Wey V8X is another production model GWM has built on its Global One S platform and is positioned as a 5-seat flagship SUV featuring smart driving and handling. The platform's first model, the Wey V9X, was launched on May 18 with a starting price of 349,800 yuan.

The new model can be seen as a smaller version of the V9X. It measures 5,125 mm in length, 2,025 mm in width and 1,821 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,050 mm.

Compared with the Wey V9X, the V8X is 80 mm shorter and 4 mm lower, while retaining the same width and wheelbase.

The Wey V8X is available in 2 variants, both of which are all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrids equipped with GWM's Hi4 system and a dedicated 4-speed hybrid transmission.

The Ultra variant uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and delivers maximum system output of 450 kW and peak torque of 790 Nm. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 210 km/h.

The higher-priced Ultra+ upgrades to a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, with maximum system output of 500 kW and peak torque of 930 Nm. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 225 km/h. Even with the battery depleted, it can complete the 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.7 seconds.

Both variants have front and rear electric motors with peak outputs of 110 kW and 220 kW, respectively, and are equipped with a 66.6-kWh ternary lithium battery and an 800-V high-voltage platform.

They have a CLTC electric range of 402 km and a WLTC range of 312 km. The Ultra has a combined CLTC range of 1,659 km, while the Ultra+ offers 1,638 km.

The new model supports 6C ultra-fast charging, allowing the battery to be charged from 30% to 80% in 9 minutes. A 5-minute charge can add 170 km of range.

The Wey V8X is equipped with an AI cockpit and driving agent called Xiaowei Tongxue, covering both in-car functions and vehicle operation. GWM said users can use voice commands to start driving, change lanes, adjust speed, make U-turns and park.

The vehicle supports parking-space-to-parking-space NOA (Navigation on Autopilot) in a wide range of scenarios, as well as autonomous driving within business and residential compounds.

GWM also plans to launch a battery electric version of the V8X, with front and rear motors delivering peak outputs of 220 kW and 320 kW, respectively.

The Wey brand sold 7,191 vehicles in June, down 29.48% year-on-year and 11.43% from May, according to data released by GWM.

However, the brand's sales totaled 44,514 vehicles from January to June, up 29.05% year-on-year, making it GWM's fastest-growing brand.

GWM's overall sales fell 2.36% year-on-year to 108,080 vehicles in June, while rising 7.65% from May. The company sold 583,895 vehicles in the first half of this year, up 2.48% year-on-year.

($1 = 6.7899 yuan)