GAC Motor PH confirms M8 PHEV for MIAS 2025

Watch out Alphard HEV: The GAC M8 PHEV is launching soon

GAC Motor Philippines distributor Astara will be at this year's Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) with something quite special. After the automaker received regulatory approval for two new passenger vehicles, GAC Motor Philippines has confirmed that one of the vehicles will make its debut at MIAS 2025.

Set to make its presence felt at World Trade Center Manila in Pasay City is the GAC M8 PHEV. That's right, the luxurious and stylish MPV will soon be available in plug-in hybrid form. That means interested buyers can choose between the regular turbocharged version and the upcoming PHEV variant that's set to be revealed later this week.

No official specifications have been revealed yet by the automaker. But based on what other markets get, the PH-spec M8 PHEV will likely get a 2.0L turbocharged inline-four that's assisted by a 25.57 kWh lithium ternary battery pack and an electric motor. The result is a combined system output of 373 PS and 630 Nm of pull. Power is then transferred to a 2-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT).

On battery power alone, GAC claims the M8 PHEV can travel over 130 km without a single drop of fuel. On a full tank of gas and a fully charged battery, however, the plug-in hybrid MPV is estimated to cover up to 1,032 km.

With the GAC M8 set to be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, the Toyota Alphard may want to watch its back.