On August 23rd, 2022, GAC’s new flagship luxury MPV – M8 debuted at the Alila Hotel, Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, China. Guided by GAC’s design philosophy of Hi-tech Industrial Aesthetics, the new M8 is a perfect blend of dignity, speed, and power. The unmistakable on-road presence of GAC M8 is inspired by the lion, an animal that symbolizes strength and superiority in Chinese culture. Featuring GAC’s signature ‘Soaring Wings 2.0’ grille and ‘Eye-Opening’ headlights, the front fascia extrudes a sense of the proud, stately bearing of a lion. At the opposite end, the ‘Time Tunnel” taillights and ‘Royal Salute’ turn signal lights impart hi-tech futurism to the M8. The ceremonial welcome light carpet and the exclusive “MASTER” logos at the front and rear valence greet passengers with utmost courtesy. Shaped by GAC Motor’s new design language “Space Diamond”, the body is simple and pure. Nested between the uninterrupted, robust shoulder line and the crisp skirt line is a sophisticatedly sculptural body. It creates an overall effect where a diamond casts and refracts captivating light and shadows.
Inside, the main design intent has been to create a “mobile living room”. Supplemented with advanced technologies and ingenious design, the human-centric space redefines the in-vehicle experience. The floating 14.6-inch center display is merged holistically with the console, which, when viewed in profile, is evocative of a flying swan. The three-spoke steering wheel is sculptural and classy. The combination of the 12.3-inch instrument cluster and the 14.6-inch center display provides a well-layered, reader-friendly presentation of in-vehicle information and entertainment. The ‘Space Diamond’ design theme also extends to the inner space. The intriguingly subtle interplay of light and shadow can be found in various details of the M8, such as the door panel trims, the shifter knob, and the armrest. The luxuriously appointed 7-seater GAC M8 offers flexible seating options to suit different requirements. The third row can be folded and stowed to free up more storage room when needed. Or the space can be reconfigured into a mobile business meeting room by sliding back and folding up the second and third rows.
Two interior color options are available to cater to varied tastes. The black-and-white palette is inspired by the Baiyun Mountain and the Pearl River, the two most famous natural attractions of Guangzhou, the home city of the GAC. Adorned in black, red, and gold hue, the ‘Royal Opera’ is a tale of two cultures – oriental simplicity and western poshness. The seat upholstery and the door panels are embellished with auspicious Cantonese embroidery-inspired patterns. The Semi-Aniline, an ultra premium-grade genuine leather, provides occupants with delicate tactile sensations and a sumptuous riding experience. It is 1893mm in width and 1823 mm in height. It has a longer body and wheelbase than the old M8, 5212 mm and 3070 mm respectively. Along with the conventional gasoline engine variant, the new M8 is also available with hybrid or plug-in hybrid variants, featuring Toyota Hybrid System. In 2020, along with the mid-cycle refresh, M8 Master edition was introduced, elevating the lineup and firmly planting its position in the market. The all-new flagship GAC M8 will go on sale in November 2022.
