GWM V8 not locked in for Australia 

GWM’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine may be destined for a global rollout, but its Australian arrival remains unconfirmed as the brand weighs up emissions penalties and pricing implications. 

Unveiled at the Shanghai motor show in April 2025, GWM’s new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 produces 403kW in standalone form, or a staggering 735kW when paired with electric motors in plug-in hybrid (PHEV) guise. 

That’s according to Chinese media reports, and the heavyweight powerplant is expected to debut in the Chinese-market Tank 800, a luxury-focused hardcore 4x4 due to launch there later this year. 

However, its prospects and stump-pulling V8 for Australia remain unclear. 

Asked if the V8 was locked in for Australia, GWM Australia chief operating officer John Kett told carsales it’s not a slam dunk at this stage. 

“We don’t have anything more [to say] on our plug-in hybrid V8, but it’s still there and we get a chance at this [2026 Beijing motor show in April] to go back to Baoding (GWM’s head office) and see where we are in that regard,” he said.

“We’d love to turn that V8 we spoke about last year into something. 

“We’ve certainly got visibility around the V8 [but] I’m not sure we can pay the NVES [carbon tax] penalty.  

“But we want to think about that too and how it would work.” 

When questioned about importing the tub-thumping V8 to Australia in low volumes he said: “We’d like to be a bit broader than that”. 

Emissions regulations, particularly under Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), appear to be the key stumbling block. 

“I think for our whole portfolio, we’ll sit on the edge of NVES [penalties],” Kett said, adding that customers buying the V8 would almost certainly have to pay an NVES tax. 

In other words, if approved, V8-powered GWM models would almost certainly command six-figure price tags locally. 

Hyundai N is facing similar challenges with its high-performance models, though the Korean brand is understood to be willing to absorb the hit for brand-building purposes. 

If the V8 does get the green light for Australia, the Tank 800 is expected to be first in line. 

Chinese media reports suggest it will offer two plug-in hybrid powertrains: a 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol-electric producing 283kW/800Nm, and the flagship twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 PHEV delivering the full 735kW combined output. 

GWM’s decision to develop a large-capacity V8 comes at a time when many rivals are downsizing or moving to fully electric line-ups and by introducing PHEV tech, the brand is effectively able to keep traditional V8 performance alive while navigating tightening global emissions regulations. 

GWM’s head of marketing and communications, Steve Maciver, said: “If we can build a business case and there’s demand there [for V8 vehicles], we’ll sell as many as we can.” 

carsales understands the V8 will underpin both the Tank 800 and an upcoming Ferrari-slaying supercar, with GWM Australia likely to request both vehicles, should right-hand-drive production become available and business cases green lit. 

GWM has steadily expanded its local portfolio with models such as the Haval Jolion, H6, Tank 300 and Tank 500.  

A V8-powered flagship would represent a significant step up in performance, positioning and price, potentially placing it in the same conversation as upper-tier versions of the Toyota LandCruiser 300 and Nissan Patrol. 

For now, the V8 remains under evaluation for Australia, with internal discussions ongoing around emissions compliance, pricing and overall viability. 

If approved, the Tank 800 would likely spearhead the push, sitting atop its 4x4 range as a new flagship.  

The Chinese brand’s upcoming mid-engine Lamborghini-fighting supercar is also expected to get the V8. 

GWM expects to sell 75,000 vehicles this year and grow its market share in Australia, partly due to its improved customer service, in which it has invested significantly in 2026, not to mention its local Aussie tuning program, headed by former Holden suspension guru Rob Trubiani.

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