A Chinese manufacturer, Great Wall Motors (GWM), best known for its electric hatchbacks, is creating its own PHEV supercar with a custom hybrid powertrain that aims to take on Ferrari and McLaren.
As the new age of manufacturing has well and truly dawned, the fastest cars on the planet are combining the signature engines of old with zippy new motors.
Marrying the thrust of electricity with the roar of combustion engines, these best-of-both-world supercars are the future.
Now, one Chinese manufacturer is making the massive step from standard road cars to PHEV, AKA Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, supercar making, and it’s wildly optimistic.
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PHEV supercar project from GWM could use bespoke 4.0L V8 twin-turbo
Already, Chinese manufacturers have crafted some undeniably great supercars.
Specifically, the YangWang U9 is one of the best in the business, capable of dancing and bunnyhopping, setting blistering records, and looking good in the process.
Now, other manufacturers are looking to replicate BYD’s success on this front.
Specifically, hatchback and SUV maker GWM has been building its own PHEV supercar for five years, and has even crafted a custom 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine to join the electric motors in the powertrain.
The unnamed car has yet to be unveiled in full, however.
In fact, we know little more than the fact that it will have a carbon fiber cabin, as GWM pulled in the help of some European counterparts, given ‘no company in China can do a good job’ with the popular material.
Aside from that, and the engine, which is expected to pump out 600hp alone, the Chinese racer is shrouded with mystery.
However, the company thinks it can challenge the best of the best in the hybrid division, including the Ferrari SF90 and McLaren Atura.
Hybrid supercars are facing stiff competition
The PHEV supercar era is well and truly stacked, as of 2025. McLaren has come out swinging with the Atura, and will be combining successes on all fronts with the W1.
Lamborghini also came out swinging with the Revuelto’s dual-motor and V12 combo, earning over 1,000hp.
And, the Corvette ZR1X is showing that America can hold its own here too.
GWM has tipped its hat at the Ferrari, though, as Chairman Wei Jianjun was recently snapped driving a Rosso red SF90.
Having been asked about it, Chief Technology Officer, Wu Huixiao, simply said:
“What we do is definitely better than theirs.”
Still, Ferrari ripped up the script on hybrids with the seriously impressive 296 Speciale coming in 2026.
These hybrid electric-combustion racers are certainly a step towards a faster future, but don’t expect a full EV lineup of supercars just yet.
That is if Koenigsegg is to be believed.
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