Vans have always been part of the elite lifestyle, with V8-powered conversion vans once ruling the roost for celebrities and politicians alike.

But that all changed when the Toyota Alphard rolled into town, offering super-smooth and relatively fuel-efficient powerplants, along with a road presence that was truly a class of its own.

Just a month after the launch of the all-new Alphard, GAC Motor Philippines is getting into the game with its eye-catching M8. The Chinese carmaker announced in a September 2023 press statement that it will launch its flagship luxury van within the first quarter of 2024.

"We're excited to present the GAC M8, a genuine fusion of opulence and innovation, to the Philippine market,” said GAC Motor Philippines brand head Franz Decloedt.

“Featuring cutting-edge technology, exquisite design, and unmatched comfort, the GAC M8 establishes a fresh benchmark in the premium MPV segment, and assures our customers an unmatched and pleasurable journey," he added.

Unmistakeable looks

When you see the GAC M8, you’ll know it’s an M8.

The enormous chrome waterfall grill dominates the front end, seemingly evoking a bit of Lexus. The LED headlights also reach into the lower bumper for a more eye-catching appearance.

Down the side, the M8 has two large character lines that cut into the sliding passenger doors. These and the huge glass area help cancel out the van-like appearance.

But the flagship GAC gets truly dramatic out back, with its full-length LED taillights mirroring the front by extending into the lower bumper. These are complemented by the intricate D-pillar and large tailgate spoiler.

Hybrid power available

Although GAC Motor Philippines has not yet announced what’s under the hood of the local M8, the van is available with three powertrains in other markets.

The first is a turbocharged 2.0-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine producing 252 PS and 400 Nm of torque. This is mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

The second is a full-hybrid version of the 2.0-liter engine, which has a combined output of 246 PS. This gets a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Finally, there’s the E9 PHEV (plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle) that has a 2-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission. The combined output is a whopping 373 PS and 630 Nm of torque.

Price-wise, we expect the 2024 GAC M8 to heavily undercut the hybrid Alphard, which starts at ₱4,980,000. So perhaps ₱3.5 million for the non-hybrid and ₱4 million for the hybrid?

Would you go for GAC Motor Philippines’ swanky new van?

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