The Chinese brand does not want to be limited to electric and hybrid vehicles with small engines, this V8 will also equip Tank's SUVs
GWM seems to be the most enthusiastic Chinese brand on the market. After having a line of old-fashioned off-road vehicles with mechanical attributes and an 8-cylinder motorcycle made at the request of CEO Jack Wey, it announced that it will enter the GT3 category of the world touring car championship.
It will participate with a sports car that has not yet been revealed, but has already shown the 4.0 twin-turbo V8 engine that will be used by it. Both the engine and the car will have a street version with around 1,000 hp.
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This strategy of GWM is different from that of compatriots, such as BYD and GAC, which bet on electric supercars. According to the teaser made by the manufacturer, the V8 sports car will be a plug-in hybrid, something that is already done by Ferrari in the 296 and by McLaren in the Artura.
The mechanical assembly of the supercar was exhibited at the Beijing Motor Show. The V8 engine is mounted in a center-rear position, while the front axle has an electric motor. It is a scheme similar to Ferrari’s.
This GWM V8 engine was shown at the Shanghai Motor Show in 2025, but the brand hid what it would be used for. Now in 2026 it has been confirmed by the company’s CEO, Jack Wey, that the engine will equip a supercar and will have a version for the Tank 700 jeep.
GWM will be the first Chinese brand to enter GT3 and the brand also promises to participate in the Dakar Rally in 2027. Currently, the other brands in the country that are in motorsport are Lynk & Co. and MG, which participate in TCR.
Overseeing the sports car project is Adam Thomson, who was once McLaren’s head of engineering. Jack Wey said in an interview with the Australian website Car Sauce that this car is not in line with current trends in China, but with global markets.
GWM currently has a very diverse offer of engines, with 100% electric cars, full hybrids, plug-in hybrids, diesel, four-cylinders and V6. The brand also produces and develops its transmissions, such as the 9-speed automatic of the Poer P30 pickup.
This scope is part of the strategy to grow in different markets adapting to them, while other Chinese companies bet only on electrified cars.
