GWM Cannon Alpha vs Audi R8

What's the difference?

Chinese automotive brand GWM (aka Great Wall Motors) has been making headlines, given that in 2024 it was the first manufacturer to launch an HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) ute in Australia. And in 2025 it's replaced that short-lived model with a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) version.

The decision to axe the original Alpha Hybrid was a no-brainer for GWM, given its PHEV successor offers not only short-haul pure-electric driving but also superior power, torque and driving range plus the enhanced ride comfort and handling of four-coil suspension.

We were recently handed the keys to the latest iteration of this lavishly-equipped 4x4 dual-cab ute to assess its workhorse credentials from a tradie’s perspective.

Supercars can sometimes be seen as the divas of the auto world – delicate, over-the-top, not very good with reality. Well that may be the case for some supercars but not Audi's R8. It's affordable by supercar standards, easy to drive and still very, very fast.

Now the updated R8 has arrived, looking fiercer than ever, but remaining one of the smartest supercar buys on the market. But did you know there are two types of R8? Both have very distinct personalities and I lived with them for two days – in the reality of road works and also ideal country roads.

Here's everything you need to know...