Not long ago, GAC Trumpchi's second-generation GS8 was listed, priced at 186,800 yuan to 246,800 yuan. The new generation of GS8 launches a total of six models in the Pilot Series and dual-engine series. For consumers, the regular pilot series is very familiar, there is nothing too worth investigating, and in my opinion, the second generation of GS8 is most worth buying the dual engine series.
The price of the twin engine series is 228,880-246,800 yuan, as for why you should choose Trumpchi's "double engine" model to buy a medium-sized SUV, there are two points worth saying. First of all, you heard it right, directly used the name of toyota hybrid "dual engine", precisely because of the use of the same THS II hybrid system.
The second-generation GS8 is equipped with Toyota's new fourth-generation THS hybrid system, not the patented expired THS hybrid system circulated online. And the dual-engine model electric four-wheel drive drive form, in terms of structure and the new Highlander is no different, so the price of 246,800 yuan of dual-engine four-wheel drive version of the model, will also have an additional rear motor on the rear axle, and the maximum power of 40kW and the maximum torque of 121N·m, from the data point of view is also completely consistent with highlander.
Of course, at present, Trumpchi has not yet announced the specific parameters of the comprehensive power of the twin engine + motor, and it is very rare for the engine body using 2.0T Chiron power as a hybrid system, both in the joint venture brand and the independent brand. At the second-generation GS8 Chengdu regional listing event that I participated in this time, there happened to be a GS8 owner sitting next to me, and in the exchange, the owner emphasized the use experience of the GS8 in the Sichuan West Plateau, and due to the budget and Trumpchi's production capacity, he failed to purchase the GS8 dual engine model.
At this moment, I thought of the new Highlander purchased by driving Shipai, in the process of crossing the Sichuan West Plateau many times, the hybrid system of this "body" of 2.5L naturally aspirated engine performed quite well, but when it came to the plateau pass of about 3500m, Highlander wanted to surpass a large truck with a slow and long length, basically needed a long sprint distance. For the GS 8 dual engine with 2.0T ju wave power, there is a forced air intake system such as a turbine to overcome altitude sickness, and there are dual motors on the front and rear axles to achieve faster power response, which is indeed worth looking forward to.
I also believe that the GS8 dual engine will perform better on the Kawanishi Plateau than the Highlander 2.5L dual engine with the same THS II hybrid system, and the driving experience is more relaxed and the torque performance is stronger. In fact, in a place with such a rich terrain environment as the southwest region, and the cultural atmosphere makes people like to travel by car so much, the performance of the vehicle in the Sichuan West Plateau is definitely a factor that consumers will consider.
Secondly, the double engine hybrid version of the model and the fuel version have a certain difference in appearance, mainly concentrated in the design part of the intake grille and fog light area, the large mouth net of the "Dragon Scale Wing" looks very domineering, and the grille has a more sharp decorative structure; the chrome decorative strip adopts a wide-format design, which can highlight the visual effect of the front face of the double engine hybrid version.
From the overall appearance point of view, the second-generation GS8 dual-engine hybrid version and the GS8 "master version" exposed before the Chengdu Auto Show have a highly similar design. However, the GS8 "Master Edition" is equipped with a more exaggerated size of 21-inch wheels to highlight the aura, of course, this is likely not the final form of the GS8 "Master Edition", I believe that Trumpchi for the GS8 Hybrid Edition allocated the original "Master Edition" of the big net, in the appearance of the obvious difference with the fuel version must be for a reason - in my opinion, it is likely that Trumpchi is in order to launch the second generation of GS8 real "Master Edition", to make a longer-term plan.
It is said that Trumpchi's master series was first built based on the GM8, a medium and large MPV, in order to break into the high-end business MPV market, in terms of the demand for high-end luxury MPV in recent years, even during the epidemic period, it is not reduced but increased. In fact, Trumpchi has been constantly strengthening the "Master Series" family, from the initial "Zhentianyi" family front face design model, to the launch of a two-color body with a "Maybach" visual sense, priced at more than 300,000 yuan with a central partition, with a rear car TV four-seat version of the model, at the end of 2021 Guangzhou Auto Show shine.
After that, M8 also successively launched the welfare version of the model, Trumpchi through the "Master Series" signboard, with the help of M8's medium and large MOV platform, more and more in the direction of luxury, through a more exclusive and distinguished experience, intentionally "Master Series" into the "Maybach" in the domestic brand.
So, does the "master version" of the second generation GS8 have the strength to become a "domestic Maybach GLS"?
In terms of body size, the second-generation GS8 has a 120mm increase in wheelbase compared to the previous generation, which is quite impressive. While allowing the ordinary version to have more leg space in the second row, it also leaves enough room for the "master version" of the GS8 invisibly.
Referring to the high-end positioning and product strength of the Trumpchi M8 Master Four-Seat Edition, the main business market with luxury needs, so it should not be difficult for Trumpchi to make a four-seat version of the GS8 "Master Edition". After all, M8 has been mixed in the cruel MPV market for so long, and the M8 master series launched in recent years has been highly respected by consumers, and I believe that Trumpchi is very clear about how to create the GS8 master series in the next step - a high-end SUV with a more noble experience and more luxurious materials.
Driver's Summary:
The first generation of GS8 not only broke the price ceiling of 200,000 yuan of its own brand SUVs, but also made Trumpchi stabilize its position in its own brand from the perspective of sales, and the biggest highlight of the second-generation GS8 was the dual engine model using Toyota THS technology. However, if you want to attract consumers only by a few tens of thousands of yuan cheaper than Highlander in terms of price, it is not enough in 2022, and Trumpchi will reproduce the exclusive noble experience to the GS8 through the success of the M8 master series, which is the new way out of the GS8 as a medium-sized SUV of its own brand.
Written/Photographed by John 117