GAC Trumpchi M8 PHEV

Model Overview

The GAC Trumpchi M8 PHEV is the plug-in hybrid version of GAC Trumpchi's mid-to-large MPV, the Trumpchi M8, positioned under the brand's premium "Xiangwang" series. The Trumpchi M8 is the first Chinese-brand MPV capable of going toe-to-toe with the Buick GL8 in sales figures. Starting from 2025, GAC Trumpchi embarked on a full transition towards new energy vehicles, rolling out multiple variants of the M8 PHEV as its flagship plug-in hybrid MPV. In June 2025, the Trumpchi Xiangwang M8 Qiankun was officially launched with a price range between RM359,900 and RM409,900; in October 2025, the Xiangwang M8 Master PHEV was introduced, priced from RM269,900 to RM289,900 (starting from RM249,900 post-subsidy); in June 2026, the Xiangwang M8 PHEV L made its official debut with three variants priced between RM268,800 and RM309,800. As of June 2026, the on-sale lineup spans a price bracket of RM268,800 to RM409,900.

Design Language

The Trumpchi M8 PHEV range adopts the brand's signature "Yipin Qilin" design language. Up front, it features an imposing dot-matrix grille accented with diamond- or block-shaped chrome detailing, flanked by "7"-shaped or boomerang-profiled LED headlamp clusters for a commanding presence. Building upon the Master series, the Qiankun variant gains a three-dimensional dot-matrix chrome grille alongside a roof-mounted watchtower-style LiDAR unit. Along the sides, the MPV sports clean, horizontal character lines, complemented by standard dual powered sliding doors with concealed guide tracks. Dimension-wise, the vehicle measures 5,217 mm (5,251/5,264 mm on select variants) long, 1,893 mm (1,898 mm on select variants) wide, and 1,823 mm (1,848 mm on select variants) tall, riding on a 3,070 mm wheelbase.

Inside, the cabin features a wraparound cockpit layout. The dashboard is fitted with a 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster and a 15.6-inch (or 17.3-inch) floating central infotainment touchscreen, with range-topping variants further adding a 17.3-inch rear entertainment display. Drivers get a two-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel paired with a steering column-mounted electronic gear selector. The Qiankun variant comes equipped with Huawei's Harmony Cockpit 4.0.

Powertrain and Performance

The Trumpchi M8 PHEV is offered with several powertrain setups. The Qiankun and Master variants are powered by GAC's in-house 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine (engine code 4B20J1/J2) producing 140 kW (around 190 PS) and 330 Nm of torque, mated to a front-mounted electric motor (160 kW) and a GMC400 2-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT). The Master Exclusive variant delivers a combined system output of 274 kW and 630 Nm of torque, completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 8.8 seconds; the LiDAR variant pushes combined output to 300 kW and 645 Nm, cutting the century sprint time to 8.0 seconds.

Meanwhile, the PHEV L variant employs a 1.5-litre turbo engine (125 kW and 245 Nm). The front-wheel-drive (2WD) version features a 205 kW electric motor for a total system output of 330 kW and 605 Nm, whereas the all-wheel-drive (4WD) model adds an 80 kW rear motor, boosting total output to 410 kW and 770 Nm.

In terms of electric and driving range, the Qiankun and Master LiDAR variants pack a 44.5 kWh CATL Freevoy hybrid battery pack, delivering a CLTC pure electric range of 248 km and an overall cruising range exceeding 1,200 km. The Master Exclusive variant gets a 25.5 kWh Magazine Battery offering 136 km of CLTC electric range and a WLTC combined range of 1,032 km. The Harmony Cockpit variant delivers a WLTC electric-only range of 202 km. The PHEV L comes fitted with a 44.57 kWh battery, returning a CLTC EV range of 248 km for the 2WD model and 235 km for the 4WD model.

For charging capabilities, the Master LiDAR variant features a 4C ultra-fast charging battery that can juice up from 30% to 80% in just 8 minutes; the Harmony Cockpit variant supports a 3C charging rate, requiring around 14 minutes for a 30%-80% state of charge (SoC). Selected variants also support a 6 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) reverse charging functionality.

Chassis and Handling

Underneath, the entire M8 PHEV range is built on a monocoque chassis structure, suspended by MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link independent setup at the rear. Drivetrain options include front-wheel drive (FWD) and electric all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The PHEV L 4WD Ultra variant gains dual-valve SDC electromagnetic adaptive suspension, further refining ride comfort and handling stability. Electric power steering (EPS) and an electronic parking brake (EPB) are standard across the range.

Cabin and Equipment

Inside, the M8 PHEV comes standard with a 2+2+3 seven-seater seating configuration across the board. The Qiankun variant runs on Huawei Harmony Cockpit 4.0 with 7-screen multi-display connectivity; the Harmony Cockpit variant is powered by the Harmony Space operating system, supporting on-board 5G connectivity, facial recognition, and over-the-air (OTA) software updates. The PHEV L features the ADiGO 6.0 intelligent cockpit platform powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P chipset, complete with four-zone voice command support.

In terms of seating comfort, ventilated and heated front seats are standard across the range. The second row features individual captain chairs, upgraded on the Master LiDAR variant to dual zero-gravity aisle seats with 18-way power adjustment. Higher-spec trims are packed with luxury amenities, including a 16-point or 24-point full-body SPA massage system, "Ferris wheel" mechanical massage, Yamaha headrest speakers, graphene thermal neck pillows, airline-style fold-out tray tables, and a tri-temperature quad-zone onboard refrigerator.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Intelligent driving assistance is one of the M8 PHEV's standout selling points. The Qiankun variant is equipped with Huawei's Qiankun ADS 3.3 advanced driver assistance system; the Master LiDAR variant runs GAC's Xingling ADiGO GSD system integrated with Momenta's AI foundation model algorithms, backed by an NVIDIA Orin-X chip churning out 254 TOPS of computing power alongside a 126-line LiDAR sensor. The suite comprises 27 high-precision sensors in total (1 variable-focus 126-line LiDAR, 11 HD cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and 3 millimetre-wave radars). It supports City Navigation Drive Assist (NDA), Highway Navigation Assist, full-scenario automated parking (compatible with over 300 parking bay layouts), and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) operational at up to 120 km/h.

For passive safety, high-strength steel makes up 85.6% of the body structure—17% stiffer than the segment average—utilising an eight-longitudinal and nineteen-transverse cage architecture to anchor a 360-degree all-round airbag matrix.

Market Performance and Reception

The Trumpchi M8 lineup remains a benchmark offering in the Chinese MPV market. In full-year 2025, total Trumpchi M8 sales (encompassing petrol and electrified variants) hit roughly 53,000 to 76,000 units, placing it consistently near the summit of MPV sales charts. Between January and April 2025, the M8 ranked third overall in MPV sales. When it comes to value retention, the M8 also leads the domestic MPV segment in three-year residual values.

Industry commentators highlight that thanks to its Oriental luxury aesthetic, strong value proposition, and a multi-tiered variant strategy covering both the Master and Qiankun lines, the M8 PHEV has successfully captured a solid slice of both the private family and executive chauffeur markets. The debut of the PHEV L variant has further fortified Trumpchi's footprint in the PHEV MPV segment. Key market rivals include the Denza D9 DM-i, Buick GL8 PHEV, and Voyah Dreamer. In terms of owner feedback, buyers widely laud its spaciousness, premium cabin appointments, and high-tech features, though some have noted that fuel efficiency in battery-depleted (charge-sustaining) mode leaves room for further refinement. On the whole, as a flagship offering spearheading the brand's premium push, the Trumpchi M8 PHEV delivers an impressive blend of plug-in hybrid efficiency, cutting-edge ADAS, and executive luxury.