If plans for a new V8 weren't crazy enough, GWM has revealed it has been working on a supercar for the past five years – but don't expect the two projects to unite.
GWM has announced plans to develop a supercar it claims will be "better" than a million-dollar Ferrari SF90 – and unlike rival BYD's efforts, it may not be electric.
But it is unlikely to use the company's new 4.0-litre twin-turbo hybrid V8, and could opt for a smaller engine – or something else entirely.
Plans for a Ferrari-rivalling supercar were revealed by GWM chief technology officer Wu Huixiao in an interview on Chinese social media platform Weibo.
Arrival timing for the car is yet to be announced, but Wu said GWM is "still looking at controlling the costs" of the supercar program – in progress for five years – and that "once it comes out, it will be a stunning product."
"We must build a car that will spike up adrenaline cause an explosion of hormones, and dopamine," she said.
Wu claimed the GWM supercar "will be better" than a Ferrari SF90, a 746kW twin-turbo V8 plug-in hybrid which company chairman Jack Wei has been spotted driving in China.
What will power the GWM supercar is known, but the executive suggested an assumption by the Weibo interview host that the brand's new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 may be too big for the car is correct.
It suggests GWM may be developing an all-new engine for the car – or is planning to use a smaller, but existing engine from its portfolio.
It offers a 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 in the Tank 700 which, with the assistance of an electric motor, develops 385kW.
GWM's flagship hybrid powertrain uses an even smaller engine, a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder, to assist two electric motors producing a claimed 635kW and 1139Nm.
Known as Hi4-Z, it operates like an electric car with petrol assistance – as there is no driveshaft connecting the front and rear wheels – and has been used to date in GWM Tank off-road models.
The GWM chief technology officer said "experts" have been invited to China to help develop the supercar, and that the company is developing carbon-fibre, but would not confirm if it will be used to build the new sports model.
GWM is the latest Chinese car brand to explore – and eventually enter – the high-performance car market as it expands its global ambitions.
Rival BYD offers the U9 through its Yangwang brand – an 820kW super coupe with trick suspension allowing it to jump – while MG offers the 375kW electric Cyberster roadster.
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
