GWM unveils twin-turbo V8 PHEV engine

GWM shocked punters at the Shanghai Motor Show, rolling out a menacing twin-turbocharged V8 hybrid powertrain that could make its way into the brand’s flagship Tank 700 off-roader.

The good news is that Australia looks to be a likely candidate for the Tank 700 model, if the widespread speculation is anything to go by, and given our propensity for hefty towing capacities and big torque, the V8 would surely be the engine of choice.

“This (V8) is something that is definitely under consideration, and for right-hand drive markets, it's definitely something we are still considering,” said GWM head of right-hand drive markets James Yang.

While GWM had the engine on display for all to see, few concrete details were shared, leaving onlookers to examine the shiny new powertrain and make their own deductions.

Among the deductions we could make, it appears to be an overhead cam V8 that uses a ‘hot-vee’ turbocharger arrangement like that used by European brands like Mercedes-AMG and BMW M.

A hot-vee basically houses the turbochargers within the cylinder banks of a ‘V’ layout engine, reversing the usual layout whereby the exhaust ports are situated on the outside of the cylinders, not the inside.

This system, according to manufacturers that use it, offers a shorter air path from the turbocharger back into the intake, reducing turbo lag. It also keeps the intake charge cool, positioning the various ‘hot side’ components together to avoid heatsink elsewhere.

The biggest benefit, though, is compact packaging and this GWM unit is no exception, offering a compact layout that doesn’t look to be any longer or wider than your average V6 engine – even with the electric motor that appears to be sandwiched between the engine and gearbox.

“(GWM) has solved problems that many overseas car makers have not,” said GWM Tank global brand vice president Gu Yukun.

“We still believe that new energy [hybrid/electric power] cannot [replace] the V8 engine.”

What we know for sure is that the engine will carry a displacement of 4.0-litres, and it’ll be offered as a hybrid only, but power outputs, driving modes, fuel consumption and all the other juicy information is yet to be provided.

It’s fair to assume, though, that the V8 will outperform the brand’s V6 hybrid powertrain that puts out a combined 380kW/800Nm.

The brand also revealed, in keeping with its clear off-road focus, the Tank 300 Hooke – a limited-edition model with what appear to be bead-locks and a rock-crawler-style treatment similar to the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.

Could the hardcore Hooke off-roader score the new V8? We can only hope…