In recent years, the MPV market has been quite lively, with Tesla, Zeekr, and Ideal either having launched MPVs or on the way to doing so.
When it comes to the MPV market, apart from Toyota’s (such as Sienna and Alphard), there is also Buick’s GL8. And the real threat to GL8 is Guangzhou Automobile Group’s (GAC) M8.
Since its launch four years ago, M8 has sold nearly 200,000 units. In the past six months alone, sales have exceeded 33,000 units. In April of this year, the wholesale sales of 8,036 units broke GL8’s sales crown.
On the evening of August 23, GAC announced some information about the all-new generation M8. The upgrade this time is significant, and it even comes with the Julaing hybrid system, making it the first MPV under this system.
Bigger and More Magnificent
The entire model of the new M8 has become larger. The length, width, and height of the new M8 are 5,212 × 1,893 × 1,823 mm, and the wheelbase is 3,070 mm. Compared to the 2023 model year M8 master series, there is a considerable increase in length, width, and wheelbase.
The front face design of the all-new M8 adopts the “Roaring Lion” style, and the same vertically placed chrome-plated decorative strip is used on the front face as the 2023 master series, but on the all-new M8, it is more sturdy and prominent.
The newly redesigned front lights have 388 LED lamp beads inside and come with three personalized light languages: grand national style, dragon boat race, and martial arts competition.
The taillights are composed of a horizontally penetrating light strip and a vertically separated light strip with a total of 320 LED lamp beads, which support the flow of water light show when reversing.
The all-new M8 also uses 18-inch floating upright signboard wheels, which looks very high-end from the poster.
Meanwhile, the interior upgrade of the all-new M8 is quite significant. The front row features a 12.3-inch instrument panel and a 14.6-inch suspended central control screen as the visual center of gravity, whereas the rear row is equipped with a 15.6-inch ceiling-mounted screen that supports voice and touch controls.
The interior is divided into two themes:
- “Clouds and Mountains, Pearls and Water” theme
This theme draws inspiration from the beautiful scenery of “clouds and mountains” and “pearls and water,” creating an elegant and graceful atmosphere.
The dashboard on the co-driver’s side is made of North American black walnut, with copper inlay technology depicting the iconic scenery of clouds, mountains, pearls, water, and flying egrets.
The seat covers and door panels are made of a large amount of white half-aniline leather. The seats are also embroidered and sewn with multiple levels of perforations, resembling the beautiful “cloud and mountain” scenery.
- “Opera House” theme
This theme is inspired by the red velvet curtains of an opera house, and thus the interior colors are mainly black and red.
This version is equipped with two-second-row headrests with built-in speakers. The seats are upholstered not only with half-aniline leather but also with red velvet suede.
The design draws inspiration from the beautiful scenery of a masterful performance and extracts the classic color matching of a golden dome, black background, and red velvet curtains to create an overall black-and-red color scheme that enhances the atmosphere, transporting the passengers to a surreal world.
Powertrain
The all-new M8 is equipped with three different powertrain options:
- The fuel-powered version retains the same powertrain as the previous model.
This version comes with a 2.0 T engine with a maximum power output of 185 kW and a maximum torque of 390 N·m, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
- The HEV version is equipped with the latest fourth-generation enhanced THS II Toyota hybrid system.
This system is basically the same as the new second-generation GS8. It comes with a 2.0 T engine with a maximum power output of 140 kW and a maximum torque of 320 N·m, paired with a front motor with a maximum power output of 134 kW and a maximum torque of 270 N·m.
- The PHEV version is equipped with a self-developed GMC dual-motor series-parallel hybrid system from GAC Motor, and the specific parameters have not been announced.
Conclusion
It’s interesting to note that the next generation M8 will become GAC MOTOR’s new flagship in the MPV segment, and will be sold alongside the current M8 as part of the MPV matrix. In the future, there will also be HEV and PHEV hybrid technology versions, which can be said to cover a very complete range of sub-categories.
However, at present, the configuration and price information of the all-new M8 is unknown. Can you guess what price range this car will be in?
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.