Surprise new eight-cylinder engine unveiled by GWM

GWM has made a splash at the 2024 Beijing motor show by unveiling an all-new eight-cylinder engine.

But while the company is bucking the industry trend by developing an eight-cylinder, the bad news – as some may see it – is the engine has been designed for use in a motorcycle.

Rather than being a V8, the 'Souo H8' engine is a flat-eight – like the 'boxer' engines found in Subaru models – and though exact specifications haven't been released, it's believed it has a displacement of approximately 2.0 litres.

A sound clip of the Souo H8 was also featured on a television next to the prototype engine – impressing many showgoers.

Car companies have already begun phasing out eight-cylinder engines – typically in a 'V8' configuration – due to incoming emissions laws, with Ford, General Motors, and BMW among the few continuing to build V8 engines.

It's understood GWM is looking to enter the motorcycle market, with the flat-eight a good indication the company will be targeting large touring bikes such as the Honda Goldwing and BMW K1600.

However, some industry pundits have already begun speculating which classic cars would be best suited for the eight-cylinder motorcycle engine.

The most obvious vehicles for the flat-eight transplant are other boxer-engined models such as the classic Volkswagen Beetle and the Porsche 912, however small off-road models like the Suzuki Jimny and 'Kei' regulation sportscars including the Suzuki Cappuccino would also make ideal candidates.

It's not known at this stage whether the new GWM motorcycle brand will make its way to Australia, but it seems like there could be plenty of interest among the 'restomod' community – those who restore and modify classic cars.