Brand Yipai has launched the three-row crossover M8 for sale. The SUV is available as a hybrid or an electric car, and already comes standard with a suite of driver assistance systems from Huawei.
The first showing of the M8 crossover was held by Yipai (also known as eπ), a brand under the Dongfeng Group, in China in May. In June, the SUV became available for pre-order. But only now has the full presentation taken place, with all prices announced and sales launched.
As a reminder, the brand itself considers the M8 a completely new model. However, in reality, it is merely a modernized version of the Yipai 008 crossover, which debuted back in 2024. For instance, the vehicles have nearly identical profiles, except that the "M8" has semi-recessed door handles instead of pop-out ones, plus this SUV features chrome window trim instead of the black trim on the 008.
But the front and rear of the Yipai M8 are indeed its own. The crossover received different bumpers. It also features two-tier headlights: a single LED strip serving as daytime running lights at the top, and the main headlights in L-shaped units below. The taillight is a single unit with a finer pixel pattern. In base trims, the M8 crossover comes with 20-inch wheels, while more expensive versions ride on 21-inch wheels. Retro-style wheels can be ordered for an additional cost.
The length of the Yipai M8 is 5020 mm, width is 1975 mm, and height is 1733 mm. The dimensions of the current Yipai 008 are 5002/1972/1732 mm. The wheelbase is identical at 3025 mm.
The "M8" is available exclusively with a six-seat interior (the 008 has a five-seat version), which is also original. Inside, there are new front panels, steering wheel, and door cards. At the same time, like the original "008", the M8 crossover has separate screens for the instrument cluster and the multimedia system. The base Yipai M8 gets displays with diagonals of 8.8 and 15.6 inches respectively, while other trims feature 10.25 and 16.1-inch screens. The multimedia system runs on the HarmonySpace 5.2 operating system from Huawei (the IT giant is not on the supplier list for the current Yipai 008).
The arsenal of the cheapest Yipai M8 also includes: power tailgate, heated steering wheel, wireless charging, Huawei Sound audio system with 15 speakers, and a facial recognition system. Additionally, the SUV comes standard with the ADS 5 Pro autopilot from the aforementioned Huawei company, which includes a lidar mounted above the windshield, 11 cameras, 12 ultrasonic radars, and 3 millimeter-wave radars.
"Mid-range" versions also include heated and ventilated seats for the first and second rows, massage function for the front seats, a ceiling-mounted tablet (17.3 inches) for rear passengers, and an audio system with 21 speakers (including a speaker in the driver's seat headrest). The top trim additionally features a head-up display, a box with cooling and heating functions, and massage seats for the second row.
The Yipai M8 crossover is available as a plug-in hybrid or an electric car, both modifications are rear-wheel drive. The base hybrid SUV setup includes a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine (102 hp) operating as a generator, while other gasoline-electric versions have a 1.5-liter turbo engine (129 hp). All hybrid versions are equipped with a 292-hp electric motor and a battery with a capacity of 45.66 kWh. The electric range does not depend on the trim – 300 km according to the CLTC cycle. The electric Yipai M8 features an 800-volt architecture, a 313-hp motor, and a battery with a capacity of 77.38 kWh. Its range is 600 km.
The hybrid Yipai M8, excluding promotions, will cost between 179,800 and 213,800 yuan (approximately 2.08 million to 2.47 million rubles at the current exchange rate), while the electric car is priced at 199,800 to 219,800 yuan (2.31 million to 2.54 million rubles).
The original Yipai 008 (from 169,900 yuan or from 1.97 million rubles) is not retiring; it is also available with hybrid or electric powertrains. But the technology is currently different. The current hybrid is equipped with a 1.5-liter turbo gasoline engine producing 147 hp, a 272-hp electric motor, and a battery with a capacity of 34.32 kWh, offering an electric range of 202 km. The "green" SUV is offered with the same 272-hp motor and a battery of 82.28 kWh, with a range of 610 or 620 km. Later, this crossover will be updated – in particular, it will feature motors like those in the "M8".
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