GWM reveals its first V8 – and the hardcore Tank 300 Hooke off-roader
The automotive world may be downsizing its powertrains globally, but that hasn't stopped GWM unleashing its first V8 in China this week.
And it could power a range of future GWM luxury models and Tank off-roaders in Australia – including the hardcore Tank 300 Hooke limited edition unveiled alongside it at the Shanghai motor show yesterday.
While you can no longer buy a V8-powered Toyota LandCruiser or, soon, Nissan Patrol, GWM says its all-new twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 has been in development for at least three years, and will be backed by plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology.
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Speaking to Australian media in Shanghai, GWM International vice-president James Yang said the new V8 was under consideration for a variety of models to be sold in China and export markets including Australia.
'Our R&D centre as well as engine development department, the technology and also the level of skill is very high,' said Mr Wang through an interpreter.
'For the past three-four years we have been working on this V8, including lab as well as real-world testing.
'The Tank 300 is a very customisable and personalised vehicle, and in China there are already multiple versions and special editions that have been launched including one with a V6 twin-turbo engine.
'[A V8-powered Tank 300] is something that is definitely in consideration, and for right-hand drive markets is definitely something that we're still considering.'
Mr Yang said GWM's new V8 could be applied to a range of Tank models in Australia.
'In this market, in the future, maybe we also want to launch the premium Tank 700,' he said.
'For this vehicle, I think the V8 is suitable, but only this model, or maybe such as the Tank 300 – the small vehicle, but the off-road capability is very good,' added Mr Yang, before asking journalists whether they thought the V8 was suitable for the Tank 300, 500 or 700.
The Tank 700 is the current flagship of GWM's Tank brand (sub-brand here), and has yet to be locked in for our market.
On the flagship off-roader, Mr Yang said: 'Because this model, in the future we'll have a different version. So we're also researching which is suitable for the Australian market.'
No further details have been announced for the new V8, but it's claimed to rev to 8000rpm and incorporate both dual fuel-injection and oil pump systems, and Mr Yang confirmed it will command a price premium.
'Currently, this is still under consideration so we can't tell at the moment how much the premium will be,' he said.
Through his interpreter, Mr Yang said the new V8 will be incorporated into a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that allows the vehicle to drive primarily on electric power, and only calls on the combustion engine during high-load situations such as hard acceleration and towing.
'The V8 will come in a plug-in system, and fundamentally when it's being driven in the city it will run majority in EV mode,' he said.
'When we consider towing massive 3.5-tonne plus caravans, the V8 would really help balance the whole situation with the plug-in.
'Overall, when in city driving, this will still run majority with EV mode and only when during hard work such as towing a massive van is when it will work in a hybrid situation.'
However, most of the powertrain's torque will still be produced by the V8, rather than the electric motor positioned between the engine and transmission.
Mr Yang said this type of powertrain was more suitable for off-roaders than pure-electric drivetrains.
'Basically with electrification on the vehicle, it's really changed the market and what we are doing is combining both,' he said.
'In particular, we found through research that when a motor is doing its peak output, it really heats up the entire system and that's when the performance sort of plateaus.
'In particular, in 4×4 vehicles such as towing and off-roading situations, it's also not that great when you think of just pure electric motor output because it really requires the motor to spin in order to generate the torque.
'That's why the low-speed and high-torque application is not that great for like a more pure electric kind of setup, and with the higher capacity of the engine, it really helps compensate the shortfall of the BEV especially once again in towing as well as off-road situations.'
GWM's second eight-cylinder engine – following the flat-eight it revealed last year for its Souo motorcycle brand – could also power a range of new premium models being developed by the Chinese carmaker.
Potentially sold under the Confidence Auto banner, they will be positioned above models from the Wey luxury brand launched by GWM in 2016.
Revealed directly alongside the new V8 in Shanghai was the GWM Tank 300 Hooke, a hardcore off-road special-edition version of the large ladder-frame SUV that's already proving popular alongside the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest in Australia.
Its engine wasn't disclosed, but is likely to be either the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder, the electrified PHEV version of that engine, or the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel now also available in Australia's Tank 300.
The most capable GWM vehicle ever features live axles both front and rear, eschewing the standard Tank 300's independent front suspension.
Four-corner coils and front/rear differential locks are retained, but the Tank 300 Hooke also adds 'disconnecting struts', a reinforced ladder frame, Cooper all-terrain tyres on beadlock-style wheels, a revised front bumper, and new front wheel-arch trims.
Named after the Hooke Trail, an off-road track through a mountain range in western China, the Tank 300 Hooke special is said to be undergoing final testing ahead of its launch in China later this year.
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