Chinese newcomer GAC is entering the Australian people mover segment with a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV).
That will make the GAC M8 the only plug-in hybrid people mover on the Australian market.
While you can buy petrol, diesel, hybrid and even electric people movers locally, thus far no auto brand has launched a PHEV.
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Orders are now open for the GAC M8, which is priced from $76,590 before on-road costs. That makes the entry-level M8 PHEV as expensive as a top-spec Kia Carnival Hybrid ($76,630 before on-roads), while significantly undercutting other electric people movers like the Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB (from $91,290 before on-roads).
Customers who order an M8 before December 31, 2025 will receive a free 22kW EV wall charger and a $1000 cashback offer, as well as a $500 fuel or charge card.
The M8 is backed by an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 200,000km battery warranty.
GAC Australia believes the M8 could expand the local people mover market, which is dominated by the Carnival that last year commanded a whopping 74 per cent share.
Pricing
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2026 GAC M8 Premium | $76,590 |
| 2026 GAC M8 Luxury | $83,590 |
Drivetrains and Efficiency
The M8 is offered here exclusively with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, which GAC claims gives it a total combined range of 1032km.
GAC says the battery can be charged from 0 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes on 35kW DC power, or in 3.5 hours using a 6.6kW AC charger.
Only the Luxury features an external Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) outlet, allowing you to power small appliances at up to 3.3kW.
The M8 features MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, and GAC has also fitted what it calls Electromagnetic Damping Suspension and Adaptive Dynamic Control. These are intended to keep the vehicle stable and composed on the move.
| Specifications | GAC M8 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L turbo 4cyl plug-in hybrid |
| System outputs | 274kW/630Nm |
| Battery | 25.57kWh |
| Transmission | 2-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| 0-100km/h time | 8.8 seconds |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 6.05L/100km (w/ full battery, fuel tank) |
| Electric driving range | 106km |
| Max AC charge rate | 6.6kW |
| Max DC charge rate | 39kW |
| Fuel tank capacity | 56L |
| Emissions standard | Euro 6 |
Dimensions
| Dimensions | GAC M8 |
|---|---|
| Length | 5212mm |
| Width | 1893mm |
| Height | 1823mm |
| Wheelbase | 3070mm |
| Cargo capacity | 280L-1500L |
Servicing and Warranty
The GAC M8 is backed by an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and eight-year, 200,000km battery warranty.
GAC has yet to announce service pricing.
Safety
The GAC M8 has yet to be crash-tested by Euro NCAP or ANCAP.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse)
- Adaptive cruise control
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Integrated Cruise Assist
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Lane-keep assist
- Emergency lane-keep assist
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Safe exit warning
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Surround-view camera
The Premium has two front four parking sensors and four at the rear, while the Luxury has six at each end.
GAC says it has an “industry-leading” 3.2m-long side curtain airbag as well as rear windshield airbags, aimed at protecting third-row occupants.
Standard Equipment
There are two members of the GAC M8 lineup.
The Premium comes standard with the following equipment:
- Dual power-sliding doors
- Hands-free power tailgate
- Rear privacy glass
- 18-inch alloy wheels in 225/60R18 tyres
- Tyre repair kit
- Welcome lights
- Power-folding exterior mirrors with memory
- Keyless entry and start
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- 8-speaker sound system
- Wireless phone charger
- USB-A and USB-C outlets
- 8-way power driver’s seat with 4-way power lumbar
- 4-way power passenger seat
- 2-way manual front head restraints
- 2-way manually adjustable second-row seats with 2-way power leg rest adjustment
- 60:40 split/fold third row
- Leather upholstery (first and second rows)
- PVC upholstery (third row)
- Tri-zone climate control
The Luxury adds:
- Semi-autonomous parking assist
- Reverse Driver Assist
- 225/60R18 ‘acoustic’ tyres
- Second-row ‘welcome light carpet’
- Second-row sunshades
- Fragrance system
- Ambient lighting
- Heated steering wheel
- Rear tray tables
- 2-way power-adjustable second-row seats
- 4-way power leg rest
- Memory
- Welcome function
- Massage
- Heating
- Ventilation
- USB outlets
- LCD control screens
- Semi-aniline upholstery (first and second rows)
- Leather upholstery (third row)
MORE: Explore the GAC M8 showroom
MORE: Why China’s GAC is arriving with a people mover in SUV-hungry Australia