Great Wall Motor showcased its home‑grown 4.0 L V8 at CES 2026, highlighting hybrid‑ready tech and performance potential. Discover the specs now!
China dominates the global new‑energy vehicle market, with electric and plug‑in hybrid cars accounting for more than half of domestic sales. While most Chinese manufacturers are racing toward smaller, electrified powertrains, Great Wall Motor (GWM) has chosen a different road.
Why GWM Is Turning Back to Large Engines
Despite the rapid growth of new‑energy vehicles—projected to represent 30.5% of China’s auto sales by 2025—GWM lags behind its domestic peers in that segment. Instead, the company is investing heavily in high‑displacement gasoline and diesel engines, aiming to carve out a niche for performance‑focused models.
The 4.0‑L V8 Unveiled at CES 2026
On January 6, 2026, GWM debuted a self‑developed 4.0‑liter V8 at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The engine is built around a Miller‑cycle architecture and features a twin‑turbo system with water‑to‑air charge cooling placed before the compressors. An after‑turbo piping network links the two turbos for smoother boost delivery, and an optional front‑mounted oil‑fan clutch helps manage high‑load conditions.
Advanced Fuel and Oil Management
The V8 incorporates a dual‑injection system: a high‑pressure direct injector (350 bar) paired with a low‑pressure indirect injector (5.5 bar). This setup lets the engine fine‑tune the air‑fuel mixture for peak efficiency while reducing carbon buildup. A variable‑flow oil pump further optimizes lubrication under varying loads.
Transmission and Hybrid Potential
GWM pairs the V8 with its own nine‑speed automatic transmission, which includes an integrated torque converter. An optional electric motor can be positioned between the internal‑combustion engine and the gearbox, creating a plug‑in hybrid configuration that boosts performance and trims emissions.
Power Figures and Target Models
Exact specifications remain under wraps, but the V8 was previously displayed at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2025, where industry sources estimated a output of around 500 hp. GWM plans to initially install the engine in the off‑road‑oriented Tank 800 chassis‑on‑frame SUV, with a high‑performance sports car slated to follow. The company is also exploring a retro‑styled concept inspired by the classic Packard Super‑8 One‑Eighty.
Strategic Showcase in the U.S.
Presenting the engine at CES—a venue famed for its love of V8 power—signals GWM’s confidence in its product and its ambition to reach global performance enthusiasts. Alongside the V8, the automaker also exhibited its Hi4‑Z plug‑in hybrid platform, the Souo S2000 CL motorcycle, the Wey 07 crossover, the Wey G9 minivan, and the Tank 500 off‑roader.
What This Means for the Industry
GWM’s move challenges the prevailing narrative that the future of Chinese automakers is solely electric. By blending traditional engine muscle with hybrid technology, the company aims to appeal to markets that still cherish V8 performance while meeting increasingly strict emission standards.
Source: CarNewsChina