Overview

GAC has taken on Australia’s growing premium people-mover market with the M8 PHEV, a seven-seat plug-in hybrid that combines more than 100km of claimed electric driving range with the sort of second-row accommodation usually associated with considerably more expensive luxury vans.

Priced from $76,590 excluding on roads, the M8 PHEV, soon to be renamed E9 due to court action from BMW, will be offered in Premium and Luxury grades and is currently the only plug-in hybrid MPV available here. On test is the Luxury variant that lists from $83,590 + ORC.

The headline is not simply that GAC has electrified a large people mover, it is because the 25.57kWh battery offers up to a claimed 106km of electric-only driving before the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine becomes part of the equation.

GAC claims a total driving range of 1032km with a fully charged battery and full tank of fuel.

That potentially gives the M8 an interesting advantage over both conventional petrol people movers and battery-electric alternatives.

For shorter daily journeys it can effectively operate as an EV, while longer family trips or commercial duties do not require the longer charging stops associated with a fully electric vehicle.

Once the battery reaches its charge-sustaining state, GAC claims WLTP fuel consumption of 6.05 litres per 100km.

Performance is also reasonably substantial for something measuring more than 5.2m long and weighing 2420kg.

The petrol/dual-motor, two-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission produces a maximum 274kW and 630Nm, with GAC quoting an 8.8-second 0-100km/h time.

The M8 measures 5212mm long, 1893mm wide and 1823mm high, riding on a 3070mm wheelbase, so this is a genuinely large people mover rather than a seven-seat SUV dressed up as one.

Its size is put to use inside, where the three-row cabin is configured for seven occupants and, in Luxury specification particularly, places considerable emphasis on those sitting in the middle row.

Two individual captain’s chairs feature electrically adjustable leg rests, heating and ventilation and, on the Luxury, a 10-point air-pump massage function and up to 58 degrees of recline.

Each second-row seat also gets its own armrest-mounted LCD control screen, while the second and third rows provide i-Size child-restraint compatibility.

Luxury models step up further with semi-aniline leather for the first two rows and leather for the third, replacing the leather and PVC combination used in the Premium.

There is a practical side to the cabin as well.

GAC claims 280 litres of luggage capacity with all seven seats in use, expanding to a maximum 1500 litres, while passengers have access to 15 storage compartments, 15 hooks, and 14 cup holders scattered throughout the interior.

Up front is a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, backed by an eight-speaker audio system.

Wireless phone charging and multiple USB outlets are also included, while the Luxury adds features including multi-colour ambient lighting and external vehicle-to-load capability.

The latter allows the M8 to discharge up to 3.3kW through a 220-volt outlet, providing enough capacity to run items such as camping equipment, lighting, a refrigerator, or other electrical appliances away from mains power.

Passenger comfort extends beyond the seating.

Both grades feature tri-zone climate control, an air-quality sensor and plasma air purifier, while GAC says its ‘draft-free’ ventilation system is designed to distribute conditioned air without blowing directly onto passengers.

Considerable effort has also gone into suppressing noise.

GAC claims 10 separate noise-reduction measures, including 108 sound-insulation panels, acoustic glass, 20 cavity partitions and Environmental Noise Cancellation technology claimed to reduce interior noise by 4dB.

Ride comfort has received similar attention with the M8 using what GAC calls Electromagnetic Damping Suspension, which continuously adjusts damping characteristics to reduce vibration, body movement and the impact of speed humps and potholes.

An Adaptive Dynamic Control system additionally combines suspension management with throttle adjustments to reduce lateral and vertical body movement during cornering and changes in speed.

GAC quotes a 30-minute 0-80 per cent recharge for the 25.57kWh battery while a 6.6kW AC connection requires around 3.5 hours.

The battery itself is GAC’s proprietary Magazine Battery design, with the company placing considerable emphasis on its resistance to thermal events and physical damage.

Safety equipment is extensive encompassing seven airbags including a 3.2m side curtain and an unusual rear-window airbag intended to provide additional protection to occupants in a rear impact.

Driver assistance equipment includes a full suite of technology.

A 360-degree surround-view camera is standard across both grades, although some of the more sophisticated parking and reversing technology is reserved for the Luxury.

Both grades receive the equipment expected of a large premium people mover including electrically operated sliding doors on sides, keyless entry and start, and a hands-free power tailgate.

The Luxury builds on that with a heated steering wheel, second-row window sunshades, fragrance system, and additional cabin presentation features, further reinforcing the M8’s focus on rear-seat passengers rather than simply maximising seating capacity.

The M8 PHEV is not attempting to compete at the budget end of the people-mover market. Instead, GAC is pitching a large, highly equipped plug-in hybrid at families and business users who might otherwise be looking towards established premium people movers or large luxury SUVs.

Its biggest point of difference may ultimately be the drivetrain.

GAC backs it with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, an eight-year/200,000km battery warranty and five years of complimentary roadside assistance.

Driving Impressions

GAC’s new M8 surely must win the people mover grille competition with its huge cowcatcher/snow plough front commanding respect wherever it goes. Its cut-through on the street is astounding as other road users gawk in awe…

But care must be exercised edging up to high(ish) gutters or steep driveways lest you scrape the model’s lip.

To be honest, it’s a wedge-shape brick with a steeply sloping windscreen and plenty of sass accentuated along the slab-sides leading to the nearly as startling rear end replete with large LED tail-light clusters that mirror the “grand entrance” light show of the headlights when the vehicle is locked or unlocked – together with a musical overture.

“Gamer” gimmicks really, novelties included throughout the vehicle that will no doubt entertain some punters…

Let’s focus on the real issues here – how it goes, feels to travel in, drive, ride, fuel efficiency, practicalities, luxury features, and all the other important stuff.

To start, the M8 (mate, love the name) has genuine performance from its PHEV/2.0-litre electrified drivetrain that feeds power and torque exclusively to the front axle via a two-speed CVT type transmission.

There’s a handy 274kW/630Nm of torque available from the combined hybrid powertrain sufficient to move the weighty M8 with real purpose although, in any mode other than Sport, it feels a touch tardy, constrained even.

The electric side of the powertrain gets the seven-seater off the line instantly, but performance feels to be modulated artificially the faster you go.

Still, it ain’t a slouch in the get-go department that’s for sure.

Better yet is the silent operation that prevails as the hybrid feels electric-motor-centric helping to keep things smooth, quiet and responsive.

Boot it up and a modicum of engine noise is evident, not that you’d worry.

Fuel economy is surprisingly good as we covered some 600km during the test week and the gauge only dropped to half full with the fuel average readout saying 6.2 litres per 100km – pretty much matching the maker’s claim.

It would no doubt cover 1000km per tank potentially more carefully driven.

However, rear-wheel drive would have been a happier choice for the M8 as there’d be no torque steer under full acceleration, a situation exacerbated on a wet road from a start.

The ride is a touch pitchy but otherwise comfortable and supple meaning precisely the right calibration for a celeb’ bus such as this. Push it a touch harder than it likes and the boundaries are clearly defined.

Negotiating carparks is aided by a decent turning circle and electronic helpers but some of the in-screen features are naff, pure and simple, such as the view of the car in front when stationary – the car you are looking at with your own eyes – same for the projected side view – what’s the purpose apart from its gimmick appeal?

The interior is right up there with premium European cars in design, materials fit and finish spoiled a tad by the glitter ball gear selector and other “surprise and delight” stuff. All seven seats are a good size and comfortable. 

Too many functions are screen controlled which is a serious distraction unless there’s a co-pilot in the passenger seat.

We parked up the model for a rest and decided to sit in the best seats in the house – row two – but the electric seat adjustments refused to co-operate with the ignition set to Accessories, pinning the writer against the back of the driver’s seat… and unable to get out until the passenger turned the ignition to On.

Oh well, good in theory…

The electrically deployed footrests are only for short people, but room elsewhere is generous, well laid out and easily accessible and a useable load space is provided down the back.

As expected, overzealous ADAS rears its ugly head in the M8 as it flashes, bings, bongs, applies the brakes, cuts power, swerves, and sometimes wrests control of the steering wheel from the driver at its discretion.

Appreciated creature comforts include massage seats, heated wheel, premium audio, electrically operated side sliders and tailgate, multiple climate control outlets but the scent dispenser is superfluous.

On reflection, we like the GAC M8 in parts – the way it goes, the impressive interior and build, the fuel economy and some of the features.

Sort out the ADAS calibration, lose the “glitter balls” and it would be even better.