GAC’s new M8 Master MPV takes the South African market by storm – price, specs and first look
Published 14 Nov 2025 – Ian McLaren
A front‑row seat to the future
At the 2025 South African Festival of Motoring, Chinese automaker GAC turned heads with the powerful new M8 Master MPV. The seven‑seater, which stretches 5.2 m long, proudly sports a striking “Star Diamond” grille and a bold “Lion Fang” LED signature lighting.
Figure 1 – Front view of the M8 Master
Hands‑on impressions will be available at GAC’s South African showroom – the first time the brand will sell steep‑priced, tech‑heavy MPVs in the country.
Plug‑in hybrid: power meets efficiency
The M8 Master is GAC’s first plug‑in hybrid (PHEV) crowd‑pleaser. It can run fully electric for up to 106 km on a single charge. That’s made possible by a 26 kWh battery pack, mated to a 2.0‑liter turbo‑petrol engine and an eight‑speed automatic gearbox. Together, they produce 274 kW of power.
GAC claims an average consumption of 8.8 L/100 km and a combined range of over 1,000 km.
2025 GAC M8 Master – SA price & warranty
- Starting price: R1 499 900
- Warranty: 5 years / 150 000 km
- Battery pack: 8 years / 150 000 km
- Maintenance plan: 5 years / 100 000 km
The spec‑heavy MPV helps GAC carve a niche in the growing people‑mover market.
Inside the M8 Master
The vehicle is designed for comfort and tech‑savvy travelers. Highlights include:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Seating | Heated & ventilated “captain’s chairs” in seat‑2, with massage function |
| Doors | Electrically powered sliding side doors & tailgate |
| Climate | Multi‑zone climate control |
| Sunroof | Sectional panoramic |
| Audio | Premium Yamaha‑sourced system |
| Dashboard | 10.1‑inch instrument cluster |
Exterior colours are limited to Elegant Black or Crystal White. Interiors come in Olympus Brown or Red & Black leather, giving buyers two classy poses.
Safety and technology
The M8 Master comes standard with an impressive safety package:
- 360° all‑round airbag matrix (7 airbags total, including rear windscreen and curtain airbags)
- Adaptive cruise control
- Emergency braking
- Lane‑keep assist
- Blind‑spot detection
- Rear‑cross traffic braking
- Semi‑autonomous L2+ system featuring traffic‑sign recognition and “Fusion Automatic Parking Assist”
“We’re not just selling a vehicle – we’re defining a new era of intelligent luxury in South Africa,” said Brian Smith, Marketing & Product Director at Salvador Caetano SA. “Design, performance and sustainability all come together in the M8 Master.”
Take a closer look
Front view – GAC M8 Master
Mid‑siding – GAC M8 Master
Interior – GAC M8 Master
Images courtesy of GAC
Stay tuned for on‑road tests and further reviews of the GAC M8 Master as it rolls out across South Africa.
