Salvador Caetano South Africa, the official importer and distributor of GAC Motor vehicles, first showcased the M8 Master at the 2025 South African Festival of Motoring. Now, this imposing people-mover has officially launched in Mzansi, with the company saying the debut of the M8 Master — the first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) in our country — marks a defining moment for our market. So, let’s start there — with the powertrain.
The GAC M8 Master represents more than innovation; it is our statement of intent.
The M8 Master’s PHEV arrangement pairs an electric motor with a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine — the former and latter producing 130 kW/330 N.m and 134 kW/300 N.m, respectively. The setup produces combined power and torque outputs of 274 kW and 630 N.m. Power is delivered to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
According to the brand, the M8 Master can travel up to 106 km on electricity alone when its 25.6 kWh battery pack is fully charged. The combined petrol-electric operating range is rated at 1 032 km. The firm claims an average fuel consumption of 8.8 L/100 km.
As standard, the M8 Master is packed with a raft of features, including a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 12.3-inch digital instrumentation, an eight-speaker Yamaha sound system, tri-zone climate control, massage, heating and cooling functionality for the second-row pews, and dual electrically operated sliding doors.
How much does the GAC M8 Master cost in South Africa?
The GAC M8 Master is priced from R1 499 900 in Mzansi. The sticker price includes a five-year/150 000 km vehicle warranty, an eight-year/150 000 km warranty for the battery components, and a maintenance plan spanning five years or 100 000 km.
“The GAC M8 Master represents more than innovation; it is our statement of intent. We are not simply bringing vehicles to market; we are shaping how South Africans will experience mobility in the decade ahead. This is a new standard of intelligent luxury where design, performance and sustainability meet flawlessly,” said Brian Smith, Marketing and Product Director of Salvador Caetano South Africa.