- GWM chairman acknowledged a gap in overall performance between its supercar and the Ferrari SF90, but expects to deliver a surprise at launch.
- The new model is expected to debut by the end of 2026 and feature a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine paired with a plug-in hybrid system.
GWM (HKEX: 2333) plans to launch its first hybrid supercar in 2027 to rival Ferrari, expanding into the high-performance car market as the Chinese automaker looks beyond its core SUV and pickup businesses.
GWM chairman Wei Jianjun said on Weibo on Thursday that he had tested the company's first hybrid supercar against the Ferrari SF90, sharing a video of the comparison.
"I have to admit that our sports car still falls short of Ferrari in overall capabilities," Wei wrote. He said he was confident the team would step up its efforts and deliver a surprise when the model launches next year.
The supercar is expected to make its formal debut by the end of 2026, potentially featuring GWM's in-house-developed 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine paired with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system.
Some technical details of the engine were disclosed at this year's Beijing Auto Show. It forms part of GWM's GF high-performance architecture, developed for both road-going supercars and GT3 race cars.
GWM previously announced a target system output of more than 1,200 horsepower for the road-going supercar, with final production specifications yet to be disclosed.
The launch timeline brings GWM's years-long supercar project closer to commercialization, following repeated signals of its ambition to compete with Ferrari.
GWM chief technology officer Wu Huixiao said in an interview in April 2025 that the company had started the supercar project about 5 years earlier. A desire to further reduce costs was among the reasons it had yet to launch.
She also said the team had encountered considerable difficulties developing the carbon-fiber cockpit and had conducted extensive testing. In July 2025, Wei shared a photo of himself and other executives standing beside a supercar covered in black fabric.
GWM owns brands including Haval, Wey, Tank and Ora. The supercar project will extend its lineup beyond its core SUV and pickup offerings.
Chinese automakers have begun expanding into the supercar market, traditionally dominated by European brands. BYD's (HKEX: 1211) premium brand Yangwang launched the all-electric U9 supercar in February 2024, while other brands, including GAC Aion, have also introduced electric supercars.
GWM is advancing the project as its overall sales remain under pressure. The company sold 120,374 vehicles in October, down 15.87% year-on-year, marking its third consecutive monthly decline, according to data compiled by CnEVPost.
Its new energy vehicle (NEV) business continued to grow, however, with October sales rising 7.25% year-on-year to a record 49,499 vehicles, accounting for 41.12% of total sales that month.
GWM monthly sales 2024 2025 2026 BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme breaches 500 km/h barrier to set new world record for production cars - CnEVPostThe Yangwang U9 Xtreme reached 503.17 km/h (312.66 miles per hour) in a top-speed challenge on public roads in Abu Dhabi.
