Latest news with #WuHuixiao
The Citizen
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
GWM plans on beating Ferrari in the supercar game
Hundreds of millions of Yuan later, and claiming they have managed to overcome challenges other performance automakers haven't, Great Wall Motor (GWM) is now planning on rivalling the likes of Ferrari. Despite its dominance in the electric vehicle race, China isn't ready to put the internal combustion engine out to pasture just yet. Looking for your next new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag. GWM, better known for bakkies and burly SUVs, has unveiled a new twin-turbo 4.0-litre petrol V8 and is developing a 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel — signs that the old-school grunt still has a place in its future for many global markets, like South Africa. But that isn't exactly new news since being revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show, the real headline here is that the Chinese automaker is cooking up a Ferrari-beating supercar. Related: GWM Debuts New Electrified V8 Engine at Shanghai Auto Show In an eyebrow-raising interview posted on Weibo (China's version of X), GWM's chief technology officer Wu Huixiao claimed the still-secret sports car would be 'better than a Ferrari'. Bold words from a brand whose most recognisable product abroad might be the Funky Cat hatchback. But Huixiao insists GWM's Baoding HQ has been quietly developing the project for five years, studying rivals closely. GWM has reportedly brought in Nürburgring specialists to advise on chassis dynamics. But it hasn't been smooth sailing and Huixiao admitted to difficulties with producing the car's carbon fibre tub, and escalating costs have delayed its debut. The powertrain also remains a mystery. That new V8 is reportedly too large for the application, leaving options open: Either an adapted smaller engine or something entirely new. Related: GWM Unveils New Logo During Future Roadmap Unveiling at Shanghai Auto Show With leaps and bounds made in electrification, some early speculation points towards a plug-in hybrid setup. The goal of this according to Huixiao is a car that 'spikes adrenaline, causes an explosion of hormones, and dopamine'. All PR jargon at the expense of some precarious Chinese to English translations aside, it seems as though the next segment the Chinese automaker has set its sights on is the holy grail of them all. It may be a tall order expecting buyers wanting pinnacle performance to trade their Maranello steed in exchange for one from Baoding, but time will tell if the Chinese automaker can put its money where its mouth is… Browse thousands of new and used cars here with CARmag. The post GWM Plans on Beating Ferrari in the Supercar Game appeared first on CAR Magazine.
Motor 1
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
China Promises a Supercar 'Better' Than a Ferrari SF90
China is dominating the EV game, but is not giving up on combustion engines yet. Great Wall Motor recently unveiled a twin-turbo 4.0-liter gas V-8 for high-end vehicles and is also developing a 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel. At the top of its lineup will be a supercar, which GWM claims has been developing for the past five years. Although the company is virtually unknown in the performance car world, it apparently has Ferrari in its sights. In an interview posted on China's social media platform Weibo , the automaker's Chief Technology Officer boldly claimed the mystery sports car will be better than a Ferrari. However, according to CnEVPost , Wu Huixiao also admitted that GWM is learning from its rivals in its ambitious attempt to outdo the Prancing Horse. A high-performance model would be a major departure for a company best known for pickup trucks and SUVs. You may also recognize GWM's sub-brand Ora and its oddly named Funky Cat electric hatchback, which was later rebranded as the Ora 03. Photo by: Great Wall Motors Great Wall Motor's new V-8 engine Photo by: Great Wall Motors Great Wall Motor's new V-8 engine During the interview with a Chinese blogger, Wu revealed that GWM brought a Nürburgring expert to China to gain insights into the challenging German track. However, development hasn't been without setbacks. Wu acknowledged issues with carbon fiber tub production and said cost reduction remains a challenge, which is one of the reasons the project has yet to be officially revealed, despite being five years in the making. As for what will power the supercar, the V-8 mentioned earlier seems unlikely. Wu suggested it's too large, without confirming whether GWM is adapting a smaller existing engine or building a new one entirely. The company currently offers a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 in the Tank 700 as part of a plug-in hybrid system delivering 516 horsepower. There's also the Tank 500 Hi4-Z with a bonkers 851 hp from a PHEV setup that combines a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. The mention of Ferrari's SF90 Stradale hints that GWM's new model will likely be a plug-in hybrid as well. China already has a growing segment of fully electric performance cars, including the BYD Yangwang U9 and GAC Aion Hyper SSR. To compete with both domestic and international rivals, Wu claimed GWM 'must build a car that will spike adrenaline, cause an explosion of hormones, and dopamine.' Photo by: Yangwang BYD Yangwang U9 GAC Aion Hyptec SSR Interestingly, Chinese reports claim GWM Chairman Jack Wei was spotted driving a Ferrari SF90, reinforcing that the company is aiming high. Still, even if the car ends up being faster and more affordable, it won't carry the prestige of something from Maranello. Then again, that might not matter much in today's Chinese market, where local brands are gaining ground by offering tech-packed EVs with longer ranges, often at significantly lower prices than their Western counterparts. Outside of China, a high-end sports car would be a tough sell, even at a far lower price. We don't see many Ferrari loyalists canceling their orders for a GWM, BYD, etc. China In The News: Porsche Could Quit EVs In China The Toyota bZ7 Is a Chinese Electric Flagship Sedan Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Weibo via CnEVPost Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
7NEWS
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
China's GWM wants to take on Ferrari with a supercar of its own
China's Great Wall Motor (GWM) has revealed it's been developing its first supercar for five years now, and promises the end result will be better than the million-dollar, V8-powered Ferrari SF90 – the famed Italian brand's first plug-in hybrid vehicle. In a video interview with Chinese car blogger @保镖的车库 last week, GWM's chief technology officer Wu Huixiao confirmed the new super sports car remains in development, but provided no details. However, GWM chairman Wei Jianjun has been seen driving a Ferrari SF90 and Ms Huixiao insisted 'our car will be better', but said the company would learn from its peers. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 'We must build a car that will spike up adrenaline, cause an explosion of hormones, and dopamine,' Chairman Wei is reported to have said. Ms Huixiao said the GWM supercar's development program continues to focus on cost reduction, in order to bring to market a model that is not only competitive with the world's finest supercars, but cheaper. She said GWM is 'still looking at controlling the costs' but promised that 'once it comes out, it will be a stunning product'. Asked whether the vehicle would be tested at Germany's notorious Nürburgring public circuit, Ms Huixiao said: 'recently we invited a Nürburgring expert over [to China]'. GWM unveiled its first eight-cylinder car engine – a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 – at the recent Shanghai motor show, as part of a new plug-in hybrid powertrain (pictured at top). However, Ms Huixiao agreed with her interviewer's assumption it would be too large to be applied to a supercar. Without confirming the structure of the supercar in question, she also said GWM was researching and developing carbon-fibre chassis technology. But Ms Huixiao conceded that GWM had encountered difficulties with carbon tubs during extensive testing, adding that they are not easy to develop and that no Chinese carmakers currently does it well. GWM's new performance flagship, which appears unlikely to be all-electric, won't be the first Chinese supercar. Aion, an EV-focused brand within the GAC Group, already sells the Hyper SSR electric supercar in China. Dubbed 'China's first supercar' and claimed to set 'a new benchmark for China's auto industry' in terms of both performance and manufacturing, the SSR is priced from RMB 1.286 million (A$272,000). It's based around a carbon-fibre chassis, features butterfly doors, claims maximum power of 900kW, and the quickest of its two variants is said to hit 100km/h in as little as 1.9 seconds. Compatriot BYD last year unveiled the U9 electric supercar under its Yangwang luxury brand. Priced from RMB 1.68 million (A$357,000) in China, where only a single variant has been launched, the battery-powered quad-motor two-seater delivers 820kW of power and 1680Nm of torque, and apart from being able to 'jump' it's claimed to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 2.36 seconds. BYD's other premium brand Denza also unveiled the Denza Z sports car concept at the Shanghai motor show last month. Best known for its utes and SUVs, GWM has a range of brands in China, even though it sells all its vehicles under the GWM banner locally. Haval is its mass-market SUV brand, Wey specialises in more premium SUVs and people movers, Tank exclusively offers off-roaders, and Ora is the carmaker's electric vehicle brand.
Perth Now
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
China's GWM wants to take on Ferrari with a supercar of its own
China's Great Wall Motor (GWM) has revealed it's been developing its first supercar for five years now, and promises the end result will be better than the million-dollar, V8-powered Ferrari SF90 – the famed Italian brand's first plug-in hybrid vehicle. In a video interview with Chinese car blogger @保镖的车库 last week, GWM's chief technology officer Wu Huixiao confirmed the new super sports car remains in development, but provided no details. However, GWM chairman Wei Jianjun has been seen driving a Ferrari SF90 and Ms Huixiao insisted 'our car will be better', but said the company would learn from its peers. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 'We must build a car that will spike up adrenaline, cause an explosion of hormones, and dopamine,' Chairman Wei is reported to have said. Ms Huixiao said the GWM supercar's development program continues to focus on cost reduction, in order to bring to market a model that is not only competitive with the world's finest supercars, but cheaper. She said GWM is 'still looking at controlling the costs' but promised that 'once it comes out, it will be a stunning product'. Asked whether the vehicle would be tested at Germany's notorious Nürburgring public circuit, Ms Huixiao said: 'recently we invited a Nürburgring expert over [to China]'. GWM unveiled its first eight-cylinder car engine – a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 – at the recent Shanghai motor show, as part of a new plug-in hybrid powertrain (pictured at top). Aion Hyper SSR Credit: CarExpert However, Ms Huixiao agreed with her interviewer's assumption it would be too large to be applied to a supercar. Without confirming the structure of the supercar in question, she also said GWM was researching and developing carbon-fibre chassis technology. But Ms Huixiao conceded that GWM had encountered difficulties with carbon tubs during extensive testing, adding that they are not easy to develop and that no Chinese carmakers currently does it well. GWM's new performance flagship, which appears unlikely to be all-electric, won't be the first Chinese supercar. Aion, an EV-focused brand within the GAC Group, already sells the Hyper SSR electric supercar in China. Dubbed 'China's first supercar' and claimed to set 'a new benchmark for China's auto industry' in terms of both performance and manufacturing, the SSR is priced from RMB 1.286 million (A$272,000). Yangwang U9 Credit: CarExpert It's based around a carbon-fibre chassis, features butterfly doors, claims maximum power of 900kW, and the quickest of its two variants is said to hit 100km/h in as little as 1.9 seconds. Compatriot BYD last year unveiled the U9 electric supercar under its Yangwang luxury brand. Priced from RMB 1.68 million (A$357,000) in China, where only a single variant has been launched, the battery-powered quad-motor two-seater delivers 820kW of power and 1680Nm of torque, and apart from being able to 'jump' it's claimed to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 2.36 seconds. BYD's other premium brand Denza also unveiled the Denza Z sports car concept at the Shanghai motor show last month. Best known for its utes and SUVs, GWM has a range of brands in China, even though it sells all its vehicles under the GWM banner locally. Haval is its mass-market SUV brand, Wey specialises in more premium SUVs and people movers, Tank exclusively offers off-roaders, and Ora is the carmaker's electric vehicle brand. MORE: A guide to everything you need to know about GWMMORE: Everything GWM
