The luxurious Wey V9X crossover promised for Russia now has a younger brother – the Wey V8X

The newly announced standalone model, the Wey V8X SUV, is essentially a shortened five-seat version of the Wey V9X. The smaller crossover has also made its debut as an all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid. Later, an electric version is expected to follow.

In the spring of this year, the Wey range was joined by the luxurious V9X crossover, which became the new flagship of the premium brand owned by the Great Wall Motor group. Now this SUV has gained a younger sibling – the V8X SUV has just been unveiled in China. Pre-orders for the model with the lower index are already being taken there, although prices have not yet been announced.

For reference, the Wey V9X is available in two length variants (5205 or 5299 mm) and two wheelbase options (3050 or 3150 mm), with the flagship offered exclusively as a six-seater. The Wey V8X, however, is effectively the third and most compact variant, and this SUV features a strictly five-seat cabin. The smaller crossover measures 5125 mm in length, 2025 mm in width, and 1821 mm in height, with the same 3050 mm wheelbase as the 'short' V9X. The V8X's boot capacity is 864 litres, which increases to 2225 litres with the second-row seatbacks folded down. The V9X's cargo area holds between 244 and 1024 litres.

Visually, the Wey V8X almost exactly replicates the model with the higher index. Design highlights include a smooth 'nose', conventionally shaped headlights with an additional LED strip running above them, extra vertical LED sections for the daytime running lights, conventional door handles, and oval rear lights with a glowing connecting bar. Active shutters are built into the lower section of the front bumper (already fitted as standard). Unlike the six-seat flagship, a two-tone paint finish is not available for the five-seat crossover. However, like the Wey V9X, the Wey V8X SUV comes with 21-inch wheels as standard.

The interior of the smaller SUV is also largely the same as the flagship's, apart from, of course, the absence of the third row of seats. The dashboard features a separate instrument display (12.3 inches) and a giant screen comprising two touchscreens (each 17.3 inches diagonally). There is also a ceiling-mounted tablet (17.3 inches) for rear passengers. The multimedia system incorporates artificial intelligence.

On the centre console, there is a single wireless charging pad, a row of physical switches, and cup holders. The front passenger door and both rear doors have their own built-in smartphone charging pads. Hidden within the console itself is a compartment with heating and cooling functions. The seats feature heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Incidentally, all of the aforementioned features are included in the standard equipment list. The base specification also includes an autopilot system with a lidar unit above the windscreen.

Like the six-seat Wey V9X flagship, the Wey V8X crossover is an all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid. Currently, the five-seat SUV is available to order in two versions, both featuring 800-volt architecture and air suspension. The entry-level Wey V8X powertrain comprises a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine (170 hp) and two electric motors, with a combined system output of 612 hp and 790 Nm. The more expensive variant uses a 2.0-litre turbo engine (238 hp) and also two electric motors, giving this V8X a combined output of 680 hp and 930 Nm. There is a single battery option with a capacity of 66.6 kWh, and the electric-only range does not depend on the version – 402 km on the CLTC cycle. The 612 hp Wey V8X accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, while the 680 hp version does it in 4.5 seconds. The Wey V9X has a wider range: there is an equivalent version with the 1.5T-based setup, as well as 2.0T variants with combined outputs of 680 hp, 694 hp, and 748 hp. Incidentally, according to Chinese media reports, the smaller Wey V8X crossover will later also receive a fully electric version.

Prices for the five-seat SUV are expected to be announced shortly. The three-row V9X flagship currently costs between 331,800 and 389,800 yuan in China, which is equivalent to roughly 3.8 million to 4.5 million roubles at the current exchange rate.

Meanwhile, the six-seat Wey V9X crossover will also make its way to Russia – sales are expected to begin here in the fourth quarter of this year. The five-seat SUV has not yet been announced for the Russian market.