Chery Fulwin A8L

The Fulwin A8L is a C-segment plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sedan introduced under the Chery Fulwin lineup in December 2024. Positioned above the Fulwin A8, it champions "safety + energy efficiency" as its dual core highlights. During its official launch, the car was subjected to a globally livestreamed crash test and also set out to break a Guinness World Record for driving range.

Overview

Classified as a C-segment PHEV sedan, the model falls under Chery’s Fulwin passenger car sub-brand. Key highlights include a 2,790 mm wheelbase, global five-star crash safety engineering (80% high-strength steel + 10 airbags), an all-electric range of 145 km on the 1.5T variant, and an established combined range record of 2,370 km. The 2025 lineup comprises 5 variants, priced between RM109,900 and RM149,900, alongside an introductory promotional price of RM99,900 to RM139,900 valid until 31 January 2025. Chief rivals include the BYD Qin L DM-i and Geely Galaxy L6.

Design and Styling

In terms of dimensions, it measures 4,780–4,790 mm in length, 1,843 mm in width, and 1,487 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,790 mm. Exterior-wise, it gets a prominent octagonal front grille featuring a honeycomb mesh insert, while the boot lid now wears the dedicated "FULWIN" wordmark. Inside, the cabin is fitted as standard with a 15.6-inch 2.5K central infotainment touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor, alongside support for Apple CarPlay, Huawei HiCar, and Carlink.

Powertrain and Range

Both PHEV powertrains are mated to a 1-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT):

Performance Highlights: The 1.5T variant completes the 0–100 km/h century sprint in the 7-second range and supports 30%–80% DC fast charging in 19 minutes. Notably, it also entered the Guinness World Records after clocking a verified full-tank, full-charge range of 2,369.915 km.

Chassis and Equipment

Entry-level variants utilise a torsion beam rear suspension, whereas higher-spec 1.5T trims gain an upgraded multi-link independent rear setup. Standard equipment across the board includes an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) and 17-inch alloy wheels. Flagship variants add a Level 2.9 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS with 19 active safety functions), a 540° transparent underbody surround-view monitor, and a premium Sony sound system.

Safety and Market Reception

Safety as the Core Selling Point: High-strength steel makes up 80% of the body structure—including 20.6% hot-stamped steel—complemented by 10 standard airbags (featuring front centre and side curtain units). The curtain airbags measure 1,983.7 mm and retain over 80% pressure for 6 seconds following an impact. During its launch, Chery demonstrated these credentials via a 50 km/h side-impact test and a 40 km/h undercarriage scraping test.

Market Reception: Chery's Fulwin range delivers roughly 10,000 deliveries monthly, primarily driven by the Fulwin T9 SUV (8,665 units), while the standard Fulwin A8 logged just 2,451 units. The A8L has drawn some flak for omitting DC fast charging on the base 1.5L spec, while offering virtually identical dimensions to the standard A8 (measuring just 10 mm longer).

The Bottom Line: The Fulwin A8L boasts an impressive safety suite, with the 1.5T offering well-rounded performance and efficiency. However, the entry-level variant feels cut-down and slightly steep on price. Buyers with the budget are best off opting for the flagship 1.5T (to secure the full Level 2 ADAS suite and multi-link rear suspension), particularly while the introductory launch discount remains active.