Great Wall Motors (GWM) is planning to introduce a V8 engine to the Australian market, with its flagship SUV, the Tank 700, positioned as a potential local candidate. The Chinese automaker has developed a new V8 powertrain tailored for global markets where demand for large-capacity engines remains strong, notably Australia and New Zealand.

Despite global trends moving away from V8s due to increasingly stringent emissions regulations and the shift toward electrification, certain markets, including Australia, continue to maintain interest in such engines. This is reflected in the sustained popularity of models like the Nissan Patrol, Ford Mustang, and Land Rover Defender, which still feature V8 options.

GWM chairman Jack Wei emphasized that the company’s newly developed V8 engine was specifically designed with international customers in mind. “In the future, the Tank 700 will also use a V8 engine,” Wei said, highlighting that this move contrasts with the Chinese market, where V8 engines are becoming less viable. The existing Tank 700 model is equipped with a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine producing 260kW and 560Nm and remains under consideration for release in Australia.

Beyond SUVs, GWM is expanding its V8 ambitions into motorsport. The company revealed plans to build China’s first GT3 race car, powered by an in-house 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. Wei clarified that the V8 in the Tank 700 would differ from the high-performance version destined for the supercar, reflecting the broader potential of the engine’s applications.

To compete in the GT3 racing category, manufacturers must produce a homologated, road-legal version of their race car. GWM intends to use its GF supercar as the foundation for its global motorsport program. The road-legal GF supercar will be a plug-in hybrid aimed at rivals such as BMW, McLaren, and Toyota’s forthcoming GR GT, which similarly features a twin-turbocharged V8 and is expected to underpin a new race car campaign targeting events including Bathurst, Daytona, and Le Mans.

Reports indicate the GF supercar project has benefited from contributions by Adam Thomson, former chief engineer at McLaren Automotive, with a potential debut slated for as early as next year, although no official timeline has been confirmed.

GWM’s move follows a broader trend among Chinese manufacturers seeking to establish a presence in global motorsport. Competitors such as Chery have announced a five-year plan targeting entry at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while BYD is reportedly exploring participation in the FIA World Endurance Championship and Formula 1.