Following the preview of the GAC M8 PHEV in Malaysia at the end of last year, the order books have now opened for the plug-in hybrid MPV, with pricing estimated to start from RM333,000, Warisan Tan Chong Automotif has revealed.
These will be across two variants, which have been revealed previously to be the Premium and Premium Luxury. Measuring 5,212 mm long, 1,893 mm wide and 1,823 mm tall with a 3,070 mm wheelbase, the GAC M8 is larger than the Toyota duo that is the Alphard and Vellfire, and closer in size to the Zeekr 009 and Denza D9.
Touted as the first plug-in hybrid MPV to come to the Malaysian market, the M8 is specified with a 2.0 litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine producing 190 PS and 300 Nm of torque. This is mated with a 182 PS/300 Nm motor that draws from a 25.57 kWh battery, and the electric driveline employs a two-speed dedicated hybrid transmission to deliver 373 PS and 630 Nm combined. Thus, it will do 0-100 km/h in 8.8 seconds.
In the efficiency stakes, the M8 PHEV is capable of a claimed 6.05 litres per 100 km, with a claimed combined range of 1,032 km from its 56 litre fuel tank. The M8 PHEV can go up to 106 km purely on electric power; AC charging will fully charge its 25.57 kWh battery in 3.5 hours, while DC charging will do the job in 30 minutes.
Inside, the M8 PHEV accommodates seven, including two captain’s chairs in the second row which feature massage, memory and ventilation functions in addition to power adjustment, built-in ottomans, five-inch displays in the armrests, along with a 15.6-inch roof monitor.
While second and third rows get the lion’s share of amenities, the front row doesn’t miss out; the driver gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, while audio output is by a 16-speaker Yamaha sound system.
For driving assistance systems, the M8 PHEV is expected to bring a suite of functions including AEB, ACC with stop and go, around view monitor, lane centring assist, traffic sign recognition, blind spot monitoring with collision avoidance, rear cross traffic alert with auto brake, rear collision warning and mitigation, and park assist.
These will comprise a Level 2 suite of systems, but it will not use the ADiGO Pilot name as it refers to a higher, Level 3 ADAS functionality, WTC Automotif has said.
With the order books open for the GAC M8 PHEV, WTC Automotif is offering the plug-in hybrid MPV with a five-year, 150,000 km vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 150,000 km battery warranty, and the early bird booking package offered includes a charging cable and complimentary scheduled maintenance. The early bird package will be offered until the M8 PHEV is officially launched in Malaysia.
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Hopefully this new van could replaced the defacto ahfat welfyar as GRO favourites’ transportation
very nice MPV!! best in market i think
Alphard wannabe
good alternative to alphard/vellfire that is roaming our roads now. wait and see if it catch on. being phev, well it is kinda so so la. i prefer full hybrid which is much more pratical. phev still need to plug in charging that takes 3.5 hrs.. i noticed in penang, most alphard/vellfire is now used as personalised tour guide vehicle. will see very soon if it does catch on
We definitely need more PHEV cars over BEV cars. No matter how much the overglorification of BEV from socmed influencers, the current EV charger infrastructure is far from impressice and totally won’t work if you live in rural areas. PHEV still gives the best of both worlds without the range anxiety.
How 300Nm from electric motor plus 300Nm from engine can become 630Nm? I cannot brain…