The 2024 GAC M8 previewed—Price to start at P3,000,0000

GAC’s going to re-enter into a new segment next year. If you remember the GM8 fondly back then, you might like this one. The GAC M8 is coming to the Philippines next year, and it looks like an Alphard, but it isn’t priced like Toyota’s Minivan. 

P3,000,000 will be the starting image price for the M8 according to Astara, the distributor of the brand in the country. With this, the model is shaping up to be a big value in the minivan market that may stack up against other names like the Hyundai Staria, Kia Carnival, and of course the Toyota Alphard. 

P4,100,000 is the upper end of the image price that GAC showed us during their unveiling, but why the stark contrast? GAC Motor Philippines has confirmed that the model will come with a hybrid system. We were able to spot the actual hybrid M8 during our trip to China with GAC. Because of that and knowing the price difference. It’s very likely that the M8 Hybrid will be set at this higher price point. The brand is big on hybrids in China and it's a perfect storm thanks to the coding exemption until 2030. 

The powertrain will use a 2.0-liter turbocharged motor as its base, which is the same engine that can be found in the GAC GS8. The turbocharged mill will feature about 250 hp and about 380 Nm of torque, which should be plenty enough for the minivan. However, the hybrid system seems a lot more promising and something new for GAC. Should this come with an electrified powertrain, it will make 190 hp but the hybrid system will make 181 hp on its own. The M8 will have ample power and pull either way, and it will definitely make a splash in the Philippine market when it does come. 

As for the final features and specifications, we cannot yet say what GAC Motor Philippines has planned. Adaptive cruise is one of the items on our wishlist, but the interior amenities will definitely be what we’ll be paying close attention to. With regard to that, we could expect high-end captains’ chairs with heating, cooling, and even massage functions. Apart from that, digital displays up front are expected, and we’re hoping that the 10-inch infotainment system that we were able to spot in China gets the green light for the Philippines with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Seating capacity will be set at about seven, which will make this a nice all-rounder whether you’re going around town or out of it, or whether you’re just running errands. GAC does well with its seating configurations as well allowing for owners to fold seats out of the way for more cargo space. 

With a starting price of about P3,000,000, the M8 will make for a fine competitor against other gasoline or diesel-only minivans, following that, it could also be a viable alternative to the Alphard but at a much lower cost. 

We’re excited to see the M8 in the Philippines soon, and we’re excited to see it with the hybrid system in the country.