GWM rejects range extenders as “corner cutting” – launches world’s first AI full‑powertrain platform “GWM One”
Great Wall Motors said it will not develop range-extender powertrain vehicles as part of its future technology strategy, as announced at the global launch of its new GWM One automotive platform in January 2026, as reported by IT-home. The platform was unveiled at a company event in China, where Great Wall Motors presented it as a new-generation vehicle architecture supporting multiple powertrain types. The announcement clarified the company’s future technical direction as it expands its electrification lineup.
Great Wall Motors President Mu Feng addressed the company’s stance on range-extender electric vehicles during the event, stating that Great Wall Motors “will not do range extenders.” He said the range-extender route does not present a meaningful technical barrier but carries inherent disadvantages compared with direct-drive solutions, particularly in efficiency-sensitive driving conditions.
Mu Feng explained that range-extender systems rely on an internal combustion engine to generate electricity, which then passes through multiple control systems before powering the drive motor and being converted back into mechanical energy at the wheels. He said this long energy transmission chain results in layered efficiency losses, especially during medium- and high-speed operation.
According to Mu Feng, internal testing shows that range-extender systems can be at least 13 percent less efficient than direct-drive powertrains in these scenarios. Based on these findings, he described the approach as “corner-cutting” from a technical perspective and “a compromise on the essence of mobility,” reiterating that Great Wall Motors “will not make range extenders.”
Great Wall Motors officially unveiled the GWM One platform, which the company described as the world’s first native artificial-intelligence full-powertrain automotive platform. The platform is designed to support multiple powertrain systems, including fuel-cell electric vehicles, internal combustion engines, battery electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, providing flexibility across different vehicle segments.
The GWM One platform supports front- and rear-axle dual-motor layouts, modular vehicle design, and intelligent torque vectoring control. Under the platform, Great Wall Motors said its Hi4 hybrid technology has been upgraded to support front- and rear-dual motors, with multi-mode hybrid operation and a multi-speed transmission, including a four-speed dedicated hybrid gearbox and a 2.0-liter turbocharged hybrid-specific engine.
The GWM One platform is built on a “movable-type” modular concept, inspired by traditional printing techniques. Hardware is divided into 49 core modules, such as engines, transmissions, and batteries, along with 329 shared components, allowing vehicles to be configured flexibly for SUVs, sedans, MPVs, or pickups. Software is similarly modular, with AI automatically matching vehicle configurations to specific user scenarios, enabling efficient adaptation across powertrains and vehicle types.
For pure electric applications, Great Wall Motors said the platform supports a high-voltage electrical architecture rated up to 900 volts, paired with high-rate battery cells, peak charging power exceeding 600 kilowatts, and bidirectional external power discharge capability. The company also announced plans to introduce a diesel hybrid powertrain based on the platform.
The platform integrates Coffee EEA 4.0, ASL intelligent agent, and dual VLA large models to manage powertrain, chassis, and driver-assistance data. Predictive AI can anticipate traffic behavior, automatically adjust vehicle settings, and coordinate active and passive safety systems. Structural safety is enhanced through 2,200 MPa high-strength steel, semi-solid magnesium alloy components, and self-developed crash test dummies, allowing comprehensive verification from predictive intervention to collision protection.
Great Wall Motors said the GWM One platform will underpin future models across its lineup and will exclude range-extender architectures as part of the company’s confirmed powertrain strategy.
Updated 17/01/2026 13:05 China time: replaced Guiyuan (it’s chinese name) with GWM One
