GWM Gears Up for Its First Supercar - A 1,000 HP Hybrid V8 to Challenge Ferrari SF90 by Late 2026

(Photo credit: ev.iphonemod)

China’s Great Wall Motor (GWM) is preparing to take a bold step into the world of high-performance supercars, confirming plans to launch its first hybrid V8 model by late 2026. According to company chairman Wei Jianjun, this project — which has been in development for over four years — represents “the first true sports car from China.”

The new model aims to rival the Ferrari SF90 in both design and driving dynamics, but with a price tag that’s expected to be roughly half the cost of its Italian competitor.

GWM developed under GWM’s Ultra Luxury Vehicle Business Group

The ambitious supercar project is being developed under the newly formed Ultra Luxury Vehicle Business Group, led directly by Wei Jianjun. The team includes top-tier executives such as Song Dongxian, former GWM Vice President of Technology, who now serves as CEO, and Zhang Xiaobo as CTO.

GWM has also been recruiting international automotive engineers and designers to enhance the project’s performance and design standards to global levels.

Adding to the speculation, the company recently filed a trademark for “Zixin Auto” (自信汽车) — meaning Confidence Auto — believed to be the upcoming high-end sub-brand that could rival BYD’s Yangwang division in China’s luxury performance segment.

Ferrari-Level Performance: 1,000 HP Hybrid V8 Powertrain

Hints of the upcoming supercar first appeared during GWM’s 35th anniversary celebration in 2025, when images of a covered vehicle showed wide arches and a low, mid-engine silhouette.

Wu Huixiao, GWM’s Chief Technology Officer, revealed that the car is benchmarked against the Ferrari SF90 and will feature a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine paired with an electric motor in a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) configuration.

Industry insiders suggest the total system output could reach 1,000 horsepower, enabling 0–100 km/h acceleration in under 3 seconds and a top speed of over 350 km/h — figures that would firmly place GWM in the global supercar league.

High-End Design, Half the Price

While official pricing details remain undisclosed, reports from China indicate a projected price of around 2 million yuan (approximately US$250,000 or THB 9.1 million) — nearly half the price of a Ferrari SF90 in the Chinese market.

The car is expected to make use of lightweight composite materials, including carbon fiber, and feature advanced aerodynamic design for maximum stability and efficiency. GWM also plans to incorporate subtle elements of Chinese cultural identity into the car’s styling, blending global performance standards with domestic innovation.

A Major Shift in GWM’s Brand Strategy

Traditionally known for its SUVs and pickup trucks, GWM’s move into the supercar segment represents a significant evolution for the company — and a broader shift among Chinese automakers venturing into high-performance categories.

Other domestic brands like BYD’s Yangwang U9 and Xiaomi’s SU7 Ultra are already joining the race, signaling the emergence of a new era of Chinese performance engineering.

A New Era of Chinese Supercars

If GWM’s claims are confirmed, the company’s new supercar will join the ranks of V8 Plug-in Hybrid hypercars such as the Porsche 918 Spyder, Koenigsegg Regera, and the upcoming V8 hybrid models from Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Lamborghini.

This marks not only GWM’s boldest project yet but also a symbolic moment for China’s automotive industry — showcasing that the next generation of supercar innovation may no longer come solely from Europe.

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