Great Wall Motors Set to Challenge Ferrari and McLaren with New Flagship Supercar
Great Wall Motors, the renowned Chinese manufacturer behind the Ora 03 and Haval Jolion Pro, is gearing up to enter the high-end supercar market by taking on the likes of Ferrari and McLaren with its upcoming flagship model.
The exciting announcement was made by company chairman Wei Jianjun, who shared a photo on China’s Weibo social media platform to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Great Wall Motors (GWM). The image featured company executives gathered around a concealed silhouette of what appears to be a sleek, mid-engined supercar.
Earlier this year, GWM’s chief technology officer Wu Huixiao revealed to Chinese media that the company has been diligently working on this supercar for the past five years. Huixiao disclosed that the vehicle boasts a carbon tub and confidently stated that it will outshine its European competitors. This determination was further emphasized when chairman Jianjun was spotted cruising in a Ferrari SF90.
Based in Hebei, GWM stands as one of China’s oldest and largest automobile manufacturers, with a global delivery of 1.23 million vehicles in the previous year. In addition to the popular Ora and Haval brands available in the market, GWM also owns Poer, a pick-up manufacturer set to debut in the UK soon, as well as premium crossover brand Wey and off-road SUV maker Tank.
The highly anticipated supercar is anticipated to be the inaugural model under a newly established top-tier brand named Confidence Auto. This brand will be positioned significantly above GWM’s existing marques, directly rivaling compatriot BYD’s prestigious Yangwang brand, which is on the cusp of a European launch.
The GWM supercar is expected to closely rival the Yangwang U9, an impressive 1250bhp super-EV capable of reaching speeds of 240mph and showcasing remarkable agility, including a Nürburgring lap time of 7 minutes and 18 seconds, solidifying its status as one of the fastest production EVs on the renowned track.
While specific details regarding GWM’s flagship supercar have yet to be disclosed, speculations suggest that it may be powered by the company’s recently unveiled self-developed 4.0-litre V8 engine showcased at the Shanghai motor show earlier this year. Although details on the V8 remain scarce, estimates hint at a potential output of 600bhp and 590lb ft of torque.
Notably, the supercar will feature a performance-oriented plug-in hybrid powertrain, integrating the combustion engine – potentially the new V8 or GWM’s existing V6 – to deliver enhanced overall performance similar to renowned models like the McLaren Artura, Ferrari 296, and Lamborghini Temerario.
While GWM has yet to confirm an official unveiling date for the supercar, speculations point towards a potential debut at the prestigious Guangzhou motor show towards the end of November, a significant event on the Chinese automotive calendar.
