WEY 03

Model Overview

The WEY 03 is a spearhead model for Great Wall Motor's (GWM) premium marque, WEY, as it expands into the European market. Rebadged from the Chinese domestic market's "Latte PHEV", it is positioned as an upmarket plug-in hybrid SUV. The vehicle officially went on sale in Germany in November 2023, with prices starting from 47,900 euros (approx. RM370,000) and rising to 57,000 euros (approx. RM440,000) for the flagship variant, placing it in direct contention with German luxury marques such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi.In the European market, the WEY 03 no longer operates under a standalone brand, but is marketed under the GWM Group umbrella as the "GWM WEY 03".

Design Language

The WEY 03 carries over the overall styling of the Latte PHEV, measuring 4,668 mm long, 1,890 mm wide, and 1,730 mm tall, with a 2,745 mm wheelbase, placing it squarely in the 5-seater C-segment SUV category.Its exterior features a full-width front fascia and a chrome grille that delivers strong road presence, drawing frequent enquiries from curious onlookers during test drives.Inside, the cabin is trimmed with leather upholstery and an electronic gear selector, complemented by a fully digital instrument cluster and a generous central touchscreen—drawing praise from German motoring media for delivering a level of perceived luxury that surpasses the equivalent Volkswagen Tiguan.The electric seat adjustment controls are mounted on the door cards, a premium touch commonly seen in luxury marques.However, early test units exhibited a noticeable cabin odour that had yet to fully dissipate even after 5,000 km of driving.

Powertrain and Performance

The WEY 03 offers multiple plug-in hybrid powertrains based on 1.5T and 2.0T turbocharged petrol engine configurations.The 2.0T variant is powered by a 1,998 cc turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 204 hp, paired with dual front and rear electric motors to form an electric all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, mated to a 9-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT); total electric motor output stands at 255 kW (approx. 347 hp), yielding a combined system output of up to 442 hp (approx. 326 kW) with the engine and motors working in tandem, delivering a 0-100 km/h sprint in just 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 230 km/h.The 1.5T version employs a 2-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT), pairing a 156 hp petrol engine with dual electric motors for a combined motor output of 265 kW (approx. 360 hp).Both variants come standard with a 34 kWh battery pack, delivering a WLTC pure electric range of 136 km (2.0T) to 155 km (1.5T); European real-world tests even recorded an EV range of up to 165 km, outperforming the Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 e 4Matic’s 123 km figure.For charging, the SUV supports 11 kW AC charging and 50 kW DC fast charging, the latter capable of replenishing the battery from 0% to 80% in 29 to 38 minutes.On the flip side, fuel consumption rises considerably once the battery is depleted, with real-world tests recording 9.9 L/100 km, which could impact everyday running costs.

Ride and Handling

Under the skin, the chassis employs a front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link independent suspension setup, paired with an electric AWD system, front ventilated discs, rear solid discs, and an electronic parking brake (EPB).The suspension setup is tuned on the firmer side, struggling to adequately absorb minor road imperfections on urban tarmac, prompting German reviewers to advocate for a more pliant, comfort-oriented setup.Tyre sizes are 235/50 R20 all round.During spirited driving, body roll becomes pronounced, the electronic stability control (ESC) intervenes abruptly with coarse calibration, steering feedback feels muted, and front-wheel slip is noticeable upon corner exits—leaving a discernible gap in handling precision and dynamic limits compared to its German rivals.

Cabin and Equipment

In terms of in-car tech, the cabin is anchored by a 16-inch central infotainment touchscreen alongside a 12-inch digital instrument cluster in a dual-screen layout.The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and connected navigation with seamless compatibility, although native radio reception is mediocre, making online streaming radio the preferred alternative.In-car entertainment is handled by a 12-speaker Infinity sound system that delivers punchy bass performance.Creature comforts include a panoramic sunroof, powered tailgate, and a 360-degree surround-view monitor, with the latter earning praise for its sharp night-time resolution.The entire WEY line-up supports over-the-air (OTA) updates, enabling continuous enhancements to software features and the digital ecosystem.

Safety and Driver Assistance

On the safety front, the WEY 03 is equipped with a Level 2+ Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) suite, incorporating lane keep assist, speed limit warning, and autonomous emergency braking (AEB), backed by an array of millimetre-wave radars and high-definition cameras. However, European media evaluations noted that the speed limit warning and lane keep assist systems were overly sensitive with frequent chimes, resulting in an intrusive driving experience.Notably, a test vehicle evaluated by renowned motoring publication auto motor und sport (ams) triggered recurring "Hybrid System Fault" warnings and suffered sudden loss of propulsion during hard driving. Investigations traced the fault to mismatched parking sensor configurations following a bumper replacement; normal operation resumed once the issue was rectified.This incident underscores the need for robust electronic system architecture and standardised integration as sensor suites grow increasingly intricate.

Market Outlook and Verdict

The WEY 03 serves as the strategic trailblazer for GWM and the WEY marque in their quest to crack the European premium segment, going toe-to-toe with the German Big Three while leveraging a "high-spec, high-value" proposition (undercutting the Volkswagen Tiguan PHEV by 6,500 euros) to entice European buyers.On the sales front, WEY registered a cumulative 102,000 units in 2025—an 86.3% year-on-year surge—though it still trails fellow Chinese competitors such as BYD Denza, Dongfeng Voyah, and Changan Avatr.Early European road tests have brought hybrid powertrain calibration and chassis tuning shortcomings to light, yielding vital real-world validation data for future product refinement.As an early mover among Chinese upmarket contenders in Europe, the WEY 03 shoulders the dual mandate of brand elevation and global growth; nevertheless, its overall product polish and long-term reliability will require sustained market validation before truly securing the confidence of European motorists.