Coming for the Toyota Alphard? GWM Wey Gaoshan luxury MPV detailed in China as super-plush seven-seat van, but will it land in Oz?

Is the people-mover making a luxe comeback? Once the domain of families headed to school of a morning, the MPV now appears to be a ‘first-class on wheels’ offering as per the likes of the Toyota Alphard or the Lexus LM based on it, and now this from Chinese brand Wey: the Gaoshan.

With the GWM luxury sub-brand unveiling the people mover’s interior on Chinese social media, comparisons were immediately drawn between it and its clear rival from Toyota, the aforementioned Alphard.

Its exterior was first revealed in April via Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) documents, along with some top-level preliminary specifications.

Read more

Will the 2024 Haval H5 come to Australia to take on the Toyota Kluger, Kia Sorento? New larger Chinese SUV adopts tough styling and turbocharged engines GWM Ora GT 2023 review: snapshot Watch out, RAV4? 2023 GWM Haval H6 update revealed, but will the mid-size SUV come to Australia to take on the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5?

Underneath its Alphard-esque exterior, the Gaoshan features a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that, while it doesn’t have a confirmed output, is reported to allow for around 150km of electric driving on a charge.

Inside, a 2-2-3 seating layout allows for plenty of space for the primary passengers, the second row consisting of two captains chairs seemingly upholstered in leather and featuring proper leg rests.

They’re heated, ventilated, and feature a massage function, while still allowing proper legroom for the third row - which itself can be folded for luggage storage.

The luxe MPV also comes with a fridge with plenty of storage for drinks, and a large panoramic sunroof.

CarsGuide has contacted GWM Australia for comment on the Wey brand and the Gaoshan MPV, though spokespeople for the brand rarely comment on unconfirmed or speculative future product.