GWM Tank 700 V8 confirmed with NZ market in its sights

GWM has confirmed its upcoming flagship off-road SUV will be powered by an all-new V8 powertrain developed in-house by the Chinese carmaker.

The Tank 700, the brand's largest and most luxurious SUV to date, was revealed for the first time at the Beijing Auto Show last weekend, a model the company has developed with the New Zealand and Australian markets firmly in its sights.

Speaking to the media at the show, GWM chairman Jack Wei revealed the large SUV will adopt a newly developed V8 engine – a notable move given the global shift towards lower capacity engines and electrification throughout the market.

“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,” Mr Wei said.

“This is completely opposite to the current environment or trend in China… We developed this V8 to meet the needs of more global users, in markets such as Australia and New Zealand.”

While GWM is yet to confirm the final specification of its latest engine, the final production version is expected to be a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 combined with a plug-in hybrid system that could produce upwards of 600kW and over 1000Nm. 

The confirmation comes after earlier discussions at the Shanghai Auto Show 2025, where GWM executives first floated the idea of a V8-powered SUV for markets outside China. At the time, company leadership acknowledged strong interest from New Zealand and Australia, highlighting ongoing demand for large-capacity engines, especially for premium off-roaders.

GWM say the appetite for V8 engines remains strong in markets like New Zealand, where vehicles such as the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 and Nissan Patrol continue to rely on high-displacement engines for towing and off-road performance.

GWM’s comments also confirm a broader V8 strategy is underway. Alongside the Tank 700, the brand announced at the Beijing show that an upcoming supercar, the GF, will feature a 4.0-litre twin-turbo hybrid V8.

The company has indicated that ‘multiple’ eight-cylinder powertrains are being developed across different vehicle segments. The Tank 700’s V8 is expected to be a more conventional offering, tailored for durability and off-road performance rather than peak output.

As the top model in the Tank lineup, the Tank 700  will sit above the Tank 500 and Tank 300 currently offered in New Zealand. The Tank 700 will also represent the brand’s most ambitious push yet into the premium off-road segment.

GWM hasn’t announced timing or confirmed right-hand drive production, but the explicit mention of New Zealand at the show signals the Tank 700 V8 is being developed with our market in mind.

CarExpert understands GWM New Zealand is working to announce the model’s arrival as early as Q3, 2026.