Chery Fulwin T8

Model Overview

The Chery Fulwin T8 is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUV under Chery Auto's Fulwin new energy vehicle series. On 22 February 2025, the Fulwin T8 officially made its global debut in Qingdao. The new model is offered in six variants, with official retail prices ranging between RM103,900 and RM150,900, alongside limited-time early-bird introductory prices from RM99,900 to RM146,900. Positioned as an "RM100,000-bracket 5+2-seater super hybrid SUV", it is available in both 5-seater and 2+3+2 7-seater configurations. Its primary rivals in the segment include similarly sized PHEV SUVs such as the BYD Song Pro DM-i and Geely Galaxy Starship 7 EM-i.

Design Language

The Fulwin T8 adopts the Chery Fulwin family's Oriental Natural Aesthetics design language. Up front, it sports a prominent octagonal "Star Diamond" grille accented with diamond-patterned chrome matrix inserts and chrome surround trim, flanked by sleek, sharp LED headlamp clusters that deliver a stylish and sporty road presence. Four distinct power creases on the bonnet add a purposeful, muscular stance. Along the sides, the sweeping "upturned-eaves" shoulder line is paired with a continuous chrome window trim to create a floating-roof effect. At the rear, a full-width smoked LED taillight bar houses the "FULWIN" lettering in the centre, while a roof spoiler neatly integrates a high-mount third brake light. In terms of dimensions, the SUV measures 4,730 mm long, 1,860 mm wide, and 1,747 mm tall, with a 2,710 mm wheelbase. Inside, the cabin offers dual-tone colour schemes such as Black/Beige, accented by faux wood trim and 256-colour ambient lighting. The tiered dashboard is paired with a three-spoke flat-bottom multifunction steering wheel and an electronic column-mounted gear shifter.

Powertrain and Performance

Under the skin, the Fulwin T8 is powered by Chery's Kunpeng Super Hybrid C-DM 5.0 system. The powertrain combines a fifth-generation ACTECO 1.5-litre TGDI dedicated hybrid engine with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor. The engine outputs a maximum 115 kW (approx. 156 PS) and 220 Nm of peak torque with a 44.5% thermal efficiency; the electric motor delivers 150 kW and 310 Nm; bringing total combined system output to 265 kW (approx. 360 PS) and 530 Nm of torque. Power is managed by a single-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT). The century sprint from 0 to 100 km/h is accomplished in the 7-second range. Energy storage is handled by an 18.67 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, offering CLTC pure-electric ranges of 65 km and 130 km depending on the variant. Total CLTC cruising range stands at 1,400 km, with real-world tests exceeding 2,000 km on a full tank and full charge. Official WLTC combined fuel consumption is rated at 1.3 L/100 km, with depleted-battery fuel consumption dropping to as low as 3.2 L/100 km. Via DC fast charging, a 30% to 80% state of charge (SoC) top-up takes just 19 minutes. The vehicle also features a 3.3 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) external power supply function. It is tuned to run on RON 92 petrol. Additionally, a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated PHEV variant is offered, delivering 75 kW engine output, 225 kW system output, and 65 km of pure EV range.

Chassis and Handling

In terms of chassis setup, the Fulwin T8 rides on front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link independent suspension. The rear suspension utilizes an E-type four-link layout, providing broader tuning scope than conventional three-link designs to absorb road irregularities more effectively while maintaining body stability. The front chassis incorporates a full-perimeter subframe with multi-point rigid mountings to enhance front-end structural rigidity. The dual-valve shock absorbers are tuned by a dedicated engineering team. Drive is sent to the front wheels (FWD). Steering is managed by a Dual-Pinion Electronic Power Steering (DP-EPS) system, offering crisp turn-in and minimal deadband. Braking is handled by ventilated front discs and solid rear discs. The chassis calibration strikes a supple yet controlled balance, soaking up minor road vibrations while delivering adequate road feedback. Drivers can toggle between Standard, Eco, and Sport driving modes for daily motoring.

Cabin and Equipment

Inside the smart cockpit, the Fulwin T8 comes standard across the range with a 10.25-inch full digital instrument cluster and a 15.6-inch 2.5K floating central touchscreen. The infotainment system is driven by an automotive-grade Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor running the Lion 5.0 AI Smart Cockpit OS, enabling a rapid 2-second boot time. The system deeply integrates DeepSeek AI, powering a large-model intelligent voice assistant with multi-dialect support without manual switching. Smartphone connectivity includes Huawei HiCar and wireless Apple CarPlay. A 50W wireless fast-charging pad is also integrated into the centre console.

For passenger comfort, the front seats feature three-level heating and ventilation, while the front passenger seat adds 10-point massage, an electric ottoman leg rest, and a "Zero Gravity" recline function. Audiophiles are treated to a 10-speaker Sony premium audio system, complete with driver headrest speakers. Other amenities include dual-zone automatic climate control, an Air Quality System (AQS), a negative ion generator, and an active cabin self-cleaning feature. In terms of cargo versatility, the second- and third-row seats support split-folding, expanding total boot space up to 1,930 litres.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Safety-wise, the Fulwin T8 is engineered around Chery's five-star safety architecture. It features a safety cage structure built with 78% high-strength steel, with ultra-high 1,500 MPa hot-formed steel deployed across critical load paths such as the A- and B-pillars and side door impact beams. Passive safety highlights include nine airbags (including a driver's knee airbag) with a 6-second extended pressure retention capability. The rear seatbacks are reinforced with anti-puncture steel plates. Battery safety is governed by global-standard cells and an armoured battery casing, capable of cutting high-voltage power within 2 milliseconds in a collision. The cabin is also equipped with the C-PURE Net Cube air purification suite to ensure cabin air health.

For active safety, the Fulwin T8 comes equipped with a Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) supporting 18 safety and driving assistance functions. These include full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Assist (LDA), Lane Change Assist (LCA), Forward and Rear Collision Warnings (FCW/RCW), Intelligent Speed Limit Warning, Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), and Departure Ahead Indicator (DAI). A 3-megapixel ultra-HD 540-degree panoramic camera with transparent chassis view is also included.

Market Performance and Reception

The arrival of the Fulwin T8 further strengthens Chery's Fulwin lineup in the mid-size PHEV SUV segment. In sales terms, the model recorded 474 units during its first launch month in February 2025; cumulative full-year sales for 2025 stood at approximately 13,635 units; with December 2025 sales closing at 1,075 units. Market commentary noted that despite its competitive pricing and in-house hybrid technology, the Fulwin T8 faced tough headwinds in capturing significant market share in the fiercely contested RM100,000 - RM150,000 PHEV SUV bracket. Nonetheless, media reviews highlighted its notable strengths among RM100,000-class PHEVs: robust performance from the Kunpeng hybrid system, a practical 130 km pure electric range for zero-emissions daily commutes, a versatile 5-/7-seater layout providing a rare three-row option at this price point, and strong structural safety backed by a 78% high-strength steel body and nine airbags. During its launch campaign, buyer incentives included a limited-time RM4,000 cash rebate, trade-in subsidies of up to RM10,000, and comprehensive vehicle warranty packages. Overall, with key selling points including the Kunpeng Super Hybrid C-DM 5.0 powertrain, 130 km electric range, over 1,400 km total range, practical 5/7-seat cabin, and Level 2 ADAS suite, the Fulwin T8 establishes a well-differentiated competitive proposition in the RM100,000 - RM150,000 plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV market.