Cruise down any major road in Malaysia, and you’re bound to encounter a procession of Toyota Alphard and Vellfires. These luxury MPVs have become a status symbol – but competitors are starting to emerge, from the Maxus Mifa and the upcoming Zeekr 009. The latest that could join the party might be Great Wall Motor (GWM) Malaysia, who has previewed the Wey 80 at the ongoing Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show 2024 (KLIMS 2024).
Known as the Gaoshan (meaning “high mountain”) in China, the GWM Wey 80 is the flagship luxury offering from GWM’s premium division, Wey. The luxury MPV made its regional debut recently at the Thailand International Motor Expo.
The GWM Wey 80 measures 5,045 mm in length, 1,960 mm in width, 1,900 mm in height with a 3,085mm wheelbase. This puts the GWM Wey 80 slightly larger than the Toyota Alphard. The design of the Wey 80 shares similarities with its luxury MPV counterparts, which is unavoidable given the inherent constraints of designing a boxy MPV.
However, a closer look reveals unique elements. A prominent silver grille dominates the front end, while a sleek full-width lightbar graces the rear, creating a distinctive visual signature.
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The Wey 80 previewed at KLIMS featured an opulent interior featuring premium leather upholstery and zero-gravity seats for the driver and front passenger. Second-row passengers enjoy captain chairs equipped with foldable tables that can be used as workstations or dining tables.
Other luxury comforts include a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, while the driver benefits from a suite of features including a digital instrument display and a touchscreen infotainment system. Of course, none of these are indicative of the actual specs when (if) the car actually arrives in Malaysia – but it’s impressive nontheless!
Under the bonnet, the GWM Wey 80 is powered by GWM’s Dedicated Hybrid Technology (DHT) resulting in a total output of 487 hp and 762 Nm. Equipped with a 37.96 kWh battery pack, the Wey 80 offers a pure electric CLTC-rated range of 150 km.
By previewing the Wey 80 at KLIMS 2024, GWM is signaling its intent to enter Malaysia’s growing luxury MPV market. With its advanced technology, luxurious features, and impressive performance, the Wey 80 could be a formidable contender. The company says that it is currently studying the model’s viability in the country, and is working towards a launch – although a specific timeframe has not been confirmed.
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