The automotive world may be seeing a global downsizing in engine sizes, but that hasn’t stopped GWM (Great Wall Motors) from unveiling its first-ever V8 engine in China this week.
This engine may be used to power a range of future GWM luxury vehicles and off-road-focused Tank models in Australia, including the limited-edition Tank 300 Hooke, which was revealed alongside it at the Shanghai Auto Show yesterday.
While you can no longer buy a Toyota Land Cruiser or Nissan Patrol with a V8 engine, GWM emphasizes that its brand-new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 has been in development for more than three years and will be supported by a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system
James Yang, Vice President of GWM International:
The new V8 engine is currently being considered for use in a variety of models that will be sold in China and export markets like Australia. He added via a translator:
“Our research and development center, as well as our engine development division, possess a very high level of technical skill. Over the past three to four years, we’ve been working on this V8 engine, through both lab and real-world testing.”
He continued:
“The Tank 300 is a highly customizable vehicle. In China, several special editions have already been released, including one with a twin-turbo V6 engine. A [V8 version of the Tank 300] is under serious consideration, and it’s among the options we are evaluating for right-hand drive markets like Australia.”
Mr. Yang explained:
“For this vehicle (Tank 300), I see the V8 engine as suitable, but only for this model, or possibly a similar model like the Tank 300. It’s a small vehicle, but its off-road capabilities are excellent.”
He then asked journalists what they thought about the suitability of a V8 engine for the Tank 300, 500, or 700 models.
The Tank 700 is currently the flagship model under the Tank sub-brand (a GWM division), and it’s still undecided whether it will be introduced to the Australian market. Regarding this model, Yang said:
“Because this model, in the future, will have a different version. So we are also studying what is best suited for the Australian market.”
No additional details:
The new V8 engine were disclosed, but it’s said to rev up to 8000 RPM and features dual fuel injection systems and twin oil pumps.
Mr. Yang confirmed the engine will come with a higher price tag:
“Currently, it’s still under study, so we can’t specify how much the price increase will be.”
Via the translator, Yang clarified that the new V8 engine will be part of a plug-in hybrid system, allowing the vehicle to run mostly on electric power, with the gasoline engine kicking in only under high load conditions like hard acceleration or heavy towing:
“The V8 engine will be part of the PHEV system, and during city driving it will mostly operate in electric mode.”
“When towing trailers over 3.5 Tonnes, the V8 will play a key role in balancing performance with the hybrid system.”
“Overall, in city driving, the system will mainly use the electric mode, and the gasoline engine will only activate under high-stress conditions.”
Nevertheless, most of the torque will still be produced by the V8 engine itself, rather than the electric motor located between the engine and the transmission.
Yang said this kind of powertrain is more suitable for off-road vehicles than fully electric systems:
“With electrification, the market has changed significantly, and we are combining the electric motor with internal combustion.”
“Specifically, we found through research that when the electric motor runs at full power, it heats up the whole system, and performance starts to drop.”
