Great Wall Motor has officially launched the WEY G9 Hi4 PHEV in Malaysia, priced at RM 269,800 on the road. The seven-seater plug-in hybrid MPV enters a segment that has historically been dominated by Japanese nameplates, and it arrives with a specification sheet that is difficult to dismiss on paper — a 442 PS twin-motor hybrid system, a claimed 170 km of pure electric range, and a combined total range exceeding 1,000 kilometres, all in a locally assembled package.

That last detail is significant. The WEY G9 is not simply an imported product dressed up with local registration plates — it is assembled in Malaysia, and GWM has positioned the facility as its regional export base for ASEAN, with vehicles already being shipped to Thailand and additional markets in the pipeline. The launch was attended by Yang Berhormat Tuan Sim Tze Tzin, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), alongside GWM International Vice President Mr James Yang and GWM Powertrain Chief Engineer Dr Hu Xin — a delegation that signals the degree to which this launch is framed as an industrial story as much as a product one.

“The WEY G9 Hi4 PHEV reflects GWM’s global direction for intelligent New Energy mobility. It brings together our strengths in hybrid technology, safety, and user-focused design, while highlighting Malaysia’s role as a key production and export base for ASEAN.”

Cui Anqi, Managing Director of GWM Malaysia

WEY is GWM’s premium sub-brand, named after company founder and chairman Mr Jack Wey. The G9 is the brand’s flagship MPV, and occupies the top of GWM’s product hierarchy, positioned to compete with established premium nameplates rather than the volume segments where GWM’s Haval and Ora brands operate.

At the mechanical heart of the G9 is GWM’s Hi4 intelligent hybrid system — a plug-in hybrid architecture that combines a turbocharged petrol engine with dual electric motors, one driving each axle. The arrangement delivers all-wheel drive capability without a conventional prop shaft, and the combined system output of 442 PS and 642 Nm is channelled through Intelligent Torque Vectoring Control (iTVC), which continuously manages torque distribution between the front and rear axles depending on conditions.

The performance figures that result are genuinely unexpected for a vehicle of this size and purpose: 0–100 km/h in 5.7 seconds is a number more commonly associated with performance SUVs than seven-seat family transport. Whether typical WEY G9 buyers will regularly call on that capability is a separate question, but the headroom it provides for relaxed, confident overtaking on Malaysian highways is a practical argument in its favour.

More relevant to daily use is the electric range. GWM claims up to 170 km on a full charge, which covers the return commute for most Malaysian urban drivers several times over. When the battery is depleted, the system transitions seamlessly between Series and Parallel Hybrid modes, with fuel consumption rated at 6.2 litres per 100 km in the sustained hybrid state. Total range on a full tank and full charge exceeds 1,000 km.

The G9 measures 5,050 mm in length with a 3,085 mm wheelbase — dimensions that place it comfortably in large MPV territory and provide the foundation for the three-row cabin GWM describes under the philosophy of “First Class for All.” The flat floor and wide central aisle are structural decisions that directly affect rear-row accessibility, and the third row is specified to accommodate adults rather than functioning purely as occasional seating.

Second-row occupants get Zero Gravity captain seats with one-touch reclining — the kind of feature typically associated with executive van conversions at significantly higher price points. The front seats are finished in Nappa leather with ventilation and a 10-point massage function for the driver. Dual-zone climate control and rear air vents are standard throughout.

Cabin noise suppression is a measurable focus. At 120 km/h, interior noise is quoted at 63.4 decibels — achieved through double-glazed acoustic glass, structural insulation throughout the body, and HALOSonic active noise cancellation. A 21-speaker, 2,440-watt audio system from a premium supplier is fitted and tuned to the cabin’s specific acoustic profile.

Practical appointments include 11 USB charging points for all three rows, a 3.3-kilowatt external power output, and a 12.5-litre hot-and-cold refrigerator built into the cabin — one capable of operating for up to 24 hours with the vehicle switched off. Both the power export function and the refrigerator can be monitored and controlled remotely via the GWM mobile app.

GWM specifies that more than 83% of the G9’s body structure is high-strength steel, with critical pillar sections using material rated between 1,500 and 2,000 MPa, and a roof structure rated to withstand up to 12 tonnes of compressive load. Full-length curtain airbags span all three seating rows — an important specification in a segment where third-row passenger protection is not always a given.

The hybrid battery system has been validated through 89 safety tests. Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are standard, covering more than 20 functions including the expected suite of collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, and adaptive cruise technologies.

The WEY G9 Hi4 PHEV is priced at RM 269,800 on the road. Standard ownership benefits include five years of free connected services data, five years of free maintenance, and a complimentary home wallbox charger. The vehicle warranty runs for six years with unlimited mileage, while the hybrid system — covering the battery pack, power motor, and control unit — is warranted for eight years or 180,000 km. For the first 1,000 buyers, GWM is including a complimentary second-row entertainment screen.

Three exterior colours are available — Aurora White, Wisdom Grey, and Nebula Black — paired with a choice of black or brown interior themes, both with a grey roof lining.

“The local assembly of the WEY G9 Hi4 PHEV demonstrates our confidence in Malaysia’s manufacturing capability and long-term potential. It supports technology transfer, strengthens the local supply chain, and aligns with national priorities for New Energy growth.”

Roslan Abdullah, Chief Operating Officer of GWM Malaysia

GWM Malaysia has appointed Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza as the WEY G9’s brand ambassador, citing her multi-generational appeal as a natural fit for a vehicle positioned at family and professional buyers simultaneously.

The GWM WEY G9 Hi4 PHEV is available at GWM showrooms nationwide.

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Photo credits: GWM Malaysia and the author’s own