GWM Malaysia’s upcoming plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), the Wey G9 Hi4, is now open for booking.
Previously known as the Wey 80, the full size PHEV multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) is expected to be priced just below RM300,000.
It is poised to become the first Chinese new energy premium MPV produced in Malaysia, with the right-hand drive (RHD) model being locally assembled and exported to Thailand, Indonesia, and other regional markets.
Designed as a mobile living room the G9 is 5,050mm long, 1,960mm wide and has a height of 1,900mm.
Its wheelbase is 3,085mm while ground clearance is 155mm.
The model has an integrated sliding track layout for the second and third-row seats, and an expandable luggage compartment capacity from 233 litres to 1,725 litres with the third row of seats folded.
The powertrain delivers a combined max power of 325kW (442PS) and maximum torque of 642Nm.
This translates to a performance of a 0–100kph acceleration in 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 200kph.
Though there may be changes upon launch, GWM at the time of writing has rated the G9’s fuel economy (NEDC) at 1.2 litre/100km with a rated 6.2 litre/100km fuel consumption at a low state of charge (SOC).
A combined driving range (NEDC) of 1,000km from its 58 litre fuel tank is possible.
Alone, the G9’s 44.2kWh battery can deliver up to 170km (NEDC) of pure electric driving range.
Charging it from 30%-80% takes 26 minutes via DC charging while the 6.6KW AC charging takes 6.5 hours to get from 15%-100%.
In addition to yet-to-be announced advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) features, the G9’s structure is fortified with the use of an industry-leading triple high-strength steel safety cage.
This comes in a combination of 81.96% high-strength steel, 2,000 MPa ultra-high-strength steel in A- and B-pillars, and a reinforced third-row seatback with its tube-frame skeleton with 0.6mm full-metal backboard.
Further protecting its passengers is a 12-tonne crush resistance roof and its large-size side curtain airbags that covers the full-length (all three rows) of the MPV - 3,107mm long and 700mm wide.
Similarly the battery is equally safeguarded with a four-layer side impact and six-layer bottom protection, and an advanced sealing design.
It has undergone and successfully passed 89 rigorous tests without any failures recorded.
This includes 55 performance tests (BMS, power output, fast charging), 19 reliability tests (vibration, mechanical shock, crush, underbody impact), and 15 safety tests (thermal runaway, over-temperature, over-current, overcharge, short-circuit, etc.)
Comfort takes centrestage inside the G9 though a number of details in the cabin have yet to be finalised.
What is to be expected are the second row zero-gravity seats that are wrapped in Nappa leather to feature the likes of a one-button reset function, seat ventilation (seat cushion and backrest) and 10-point massage zones.
A major highlight of the cabin will be the foldable workstation tables and a 12.5 litre capacity dual-opening refrigerator design.
Its smart two-tier layout holds up to six bottles on the upper level that can be accessed through the front armrest for the driver and passengers, and 10 can drinks below through a rear drawer.
The refrigerator offers a temperature range of 0-50 Celsius with three modes.
The seven-seater G9 will be available in gray, black, and white exterior colours while the interior comes in either brown or black.
