CHINA — On August 28, GWM Commercial Vehicles officially rolled out its in-house-developed 8-speed DHT transmission, alongside the debut of its Hi4-G super hybrid solution, designed for medium- and long-haul freight operations.
Super Hybrid Architecture Offers Smarter Options for Freight
Powertrain technology remains a key measure of a vehicle’s performance and a manufacturer’s core competitiveness. Historically, China’s commercial vehicle transmissions have been dominated by foreign technology due to late domestic development. Leveraging its proprietary DHT technology, GWMl Commercial Vehicles has developed the full-stack, in-house 8-speed DHT transmission and integrated it into the Hi4-G super hybrid system, based on the Hi4-T technology platform.
China’s vast geography and complex terrain create highly variable conditions for long-haul logistics. Amid rising fuel costs and persistently low freight rates, solutions that deliver both high efficiency and low consumption are in high demand. The rollout of the 8-speed DHT transmission aims to help customers optimize fuel use and operational efficiency, giving fleet operators smarter choices in powertrain deployment.
“Three Power Sources, Eight Gears, Ten Modes” Delivers More Power, Less Fuel
The 8-speed DHT transmission is built on a P2/P2.5 dual-motor hybrid architecture, employing mature flat-wire oil-cooled motors commonly used in passenger vehicles. The dual-motor setup supports up to 360 kW output. At the heart of the Hi4-G super hybrid system, the transmission works in concert with a high-efficiency engine, high-rate battery, high-transmission-efficiency axle, and an integrated intelligent control center, forming a unique “three-power, eight-gear, ten-mode” capability.
Intelligent control algorithms enable dynamic mode switching to optimize performance and energy use. During normal starts, a single motor assists the engine; for heavy-load starts, both motors engage, delivering extra power while minimizing fuel consumption. In stop-and-go traffic, the vehicle can operate in range-extender mode to preserve battery charge. During acceleration, parallel mode engages, with electric motors assisting the engine to enhance performance and ensure timely deliveries.
By combining dynamic mode switching with smart controls, the Hi4-G architecture achieves true “power upgrade, fuel downgrade” benefits — delivering the driving range of a conventional engine vehicle with the comfort and efficiency of electric propulsion. The launch of the 8-speed DHT transmission underscores GWM Commercial Vehicles’ commitment to empowering customers with advanced technology, while Hi4-G demonstrates the company’s capability to bring high-efficiency, low-energy solutions to the logistics sector. Looking forward, GWM Commercial Vehicles plans to continue delivering safer, more comfortable, energy-efficient, and reliable transport solutions, ushering in a new era of intelligent, high-performance logistics.
