GWM’s new flagship a warning to BYD

GWM has teased its upcoming flagship SUV, which, at well over five meters long, will be one of the largest vehicles in its line-up.

It’s a three-row SUV to compete in the same size-bracket as the Hyundai Palisade or Kia EV9, and appears to show a boxier and more refined design language.

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The incoming vehicle will be the debut product for the brand’s next-generation platform, dubbed GWM One.

This platform is designed to support internal combustion, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fully electric and hydrogen fuel-cell power. It also has the flexibility to be single-axle or all-wheel drive and support several different form factors.

The platform will also support an 800-volt architecture, with the new SUV using a 2.0-litre turbocharged plug-in hybrid set-up, according to presentation slides shown by GWM at an event in China. Its electric motor looks to have a peak output of 270kW.

The brand also said it will achieve up to 363km in fully electric mode, or up to 1393km in combined mode, according to the more lenient WLTC cycle. In addition, it will consume 6.3L/100km when the battery is drained, and is said to sprint from 0-100km/h in as low as 4.4 seconds.

Of the other powertrains this platform will support, the brand said it would even be launching both a plugless hybrid and a diesel hybrid, which is a not-often explored technology.

Diesel hybrid tech seems to be a new direction some Chinese manufacturers are investigating, with Chery’s upcoming dual-cab ute also plotting a diesel hybrid variant for superior off-road and heavy duty performance as well as low emissions and fuel consumption.

Other features of the platform include more “AI-enabled” software features, which reportedly take in various powertrain, chassis, and driver assistance data to optimise vehicle performance.

In addition the brand is plotting its future product range on this platform to have a high level of parts commonality for a higher parts commonality and lower assembly cost.

GWM is on a winning streak locally, after fighting its way to the top of the pile of local Chinese brands. In 2025, it placed seventh on the charts of Australia’s favourite automakers, placing behind Mitsubishi. In 2026 it will face a tough challenge from BYD, which placed just behind it last year, in eighth position.

To hold its position GWM will be launching its Wey premium brand with its Wey 80 people mover, opening the door to its range of premium plug-in hybrids available overseas. It will also update and expand on its range of Ora electric vehicles, and don’t be surprised to see deeper upgrades across its Haval range of SUVs, too.

In addition, the brand has made no secret of its plans to top out its Tank range with something like the Tank 700 PHEV, although it might not be until an update is due in 2027.

GWM's flagship SUV offering looks to face tough competition with its rivals, with BYD plotting a similar range-topper, and Zeekr has also already revealed its luxurious hybrid 9X.