The GWM Tank 700 is the Chinese automaker’s flagship off-road SUV, and during the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, GWM chairman Jack Wey made a huge announcement: a V8 engine is coming for the Tank 700.
The news came after the GWM GF—the brand’s mid-engine supercar expected to launch in 2027—was confirmed to feature a 4.0-liter twin-turbo hybrid V8 engine. This could signal that multiple V8 powertrains are being developed for different vehicle applications within the company.
While automotive trends in China are shifting towards fully electric powertrains, large-capacity engines like V8s are still relevant in other parts of the world—especially for off-road use.
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“In the future, the Tank 700 will also use a V8 engine. The GF uses a high-performance V8, while the Tank 700 uses a normal V8,” said Mr. Wey. “This is the opposite of the current 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.”
If you attended the 2026 Manila International Auto Show, you may have seen the Tank 700 Hi4-Z plug-in hybrid at the GWM booth. That model had an electric dual-motor setup with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 888hp and 1,195Nm of torque.
It’s too early to say what output the GWM Tank 700 V8 will have, but if its ‘smaller’ sibling is anything to go by, this V8 behemoth could be insane; and we’re looking forward to it. Let us know in the comments, would you like to see this version of the Tank 700 in our local market?
