By Staff Reporter

GAC Motor has revealed the M8 Master, marking the arrival of South Africa’s first plug-in hybrid MPV. The model made its local debut at the Festival of Motoring, giving the public a first look at GAC’s latest entry in the premium people mover space.

Bold design with a luxury focus

The M8 Master stands 5,212 mm long and arrives with a strong visual presence. The large Star Diamond Prism grille and distinctive LED lighting give it a clear identity, while the clean body lines create a more refined silhouette.

Inside, the cabin aims to offer a first class experience. Power sliding doors, an electric tailgate and tri zone climate control are included as standard. Laminated glass reduces exterior noise, and the windless air conditioning system distributes airflow quietly throughout the cabin.

Second row passengers get the standout seats in the house with ventilation, heating, a 10 point massage function and multiple power adjustments. The materials have been selected with comfort in mind, including soft Semi Aniline leather upholstery and detailed stitching throughout the cabin.

Plug-in hybrid performance

Power comes from a 2.0 litre turbocharged plug-in hybrid system that produces a combined 274 kW. It is paired with an 8 speed automatic transmission and reaches 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds.

On a full charge and tank, the M8 Master can cover more than 1,000 km, including up to 106 km of electric only driving. Fuel consumption is rated at 8.8 L/100 km, placing it among the more efficient options in the large MPV space.

A simplified, minimalist approach

GAC has kept the design and colour choices focused. The exterior is available in Elegant Black or Crystal White, while the cabin can be finished in Olympus Brown or a Black and Red combination. Every model comes fully equipped, with no need to add optional packages or extras.

The attention to detail is seen throughout the interior, from the sculpted door panels to the premium switches and ambient lighting. The result is a cabin that feels calm, modern and intentionally designed.

Sunroof and cabin space

A sectional panoramic sunroof sits above the driver and second row seats. It is designed to bring more natural light into the cabin and increase the sense of space, especially on longer trips.

Technology and connectivity

The M8 Master features a 10.1 inch central touchscreen paired with a 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster. An 8 speaker Yamaha audio system provides the sound setup, supported by GAC’s ADiGO acoustics software.

Connectivity includes wireless charging and multiple USB C ports across all rows. The layout focuses on simple operation and easy access to key functions.

Safety and driver assistance

The new model arrives with seven airbags and what GAC calls a 360 degree airbag matrix, including rear windscreen airbags and long curtain airbags. Driver assistance systems include Adaptive Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Braking.

The vehicle also supports L2 plus semi autonomous driving functions, which include automatic parking and traffic sign recognition.

Pricing and warranty

The GAC M8 Master is priced at R1,499,900 and comes with a 5 year or 150,000 km warranty, an 8 year or 150,000 km warranty on EV battery components, and 5 years of roadside assistance. A 5 year or 100,000 km maintenance plan is also included.

With its mix of hybrid performance, luxury focused cabin and advanced safety tech, the M8 Master enters the local MPV market as a high spec newcomer aimed at families and executive transport buyers looking for something different.