While Toyota abandons the V8 LandCruiser and Nissan swaps the iconic Patrol’s V8 for a twin-turbo V6, the bent-eight is being revived by an unexpected player, China’s GWM.
At the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, GWM Chairman Jack Wei officially confirmed that the flagship Tank 700 luxury off-roader will be getting a brand-new V8 engine, and it is being built explicitly for markets like Australia and New Zealand.
This is a phenomenal, aggressive pivot away from the industry’s relentless forced-electrification agenda. During his address to ANZ media, Wei was refreshingly blunt about the strategy, acknowledging that a V8 completely contradicts current Chinese domestic trends. Instead, GWM has engineered this motor specifically to satisfy the heavy-duty demands of global buyers who still want large-capacity, analogue mechanical power.
But GWM isn’t just stopping at a rugged 4×4. The Tank 700’s new engine is actually part of a broader, dual-pronged V8 strategy. While the Tank 700 will receive what Wei describes as a “normal V8” tuned for torque and off-road capability, GWM is also developing a high-performance 4.0-litre twin-turbo hybrid V8 for its upcoming GF supercar, due in 2027. Wei said:
“In the future, the Tank 700 will also use a V8 engine. The supercar uses a high-performance V8, while the Tank 700 uses a normal V8. This is completely opposite to the current environment or trend in China; it does not fit the Chinese market. We developed this V8 to meet the needs of more global users, in markets such as Australia and New Zealand.”
Early intel suggests the flagship supercar variant could churn out a strong 403kW in standalone combustion form, or up to a staggering 735kW (1000hp) when paired with its plug-in hybrid system.
If GWM can successfully package a V8 into the ladder-frame architecture of the Tank 700, the broader application possibilities are immense. It fundamentally opens the door for a V8-powered Cannon Alpha dual-cab ute, which would immediately put the Ford Ranger Raptor in its crosshairs, as well as the highly-anticipated flagship Tank 800.
While local confirmation and exact rollout dates remain unconfirmed, getting a heavy V8 into Australia won’t be without its hurdles. Thanks to the looming New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) carbon penalties, a V8 Tank 700 will likely command a heavy premium to offset emissions taxes.
Regardless of the eventual price tag, this announcement proves that the combustion engine still has a pulse. By listening to enthusiast demand rather than blindly following domestic EV mandates, GWM has just put some traditional heavyweights on serious notice.
