Great Wall Motor Unveils Twin-Turbo V8 GT3 Race Car 'Great Faith' for 2027 Debut

China is rapidly expanding its presence in international motorsports, but until now, its contributions have been limited to teams rather than machinery. While Lynk & Co. competes in the TCR touring car category, no Chinese automaker has yet produced a car for the globally dominant GT3 class—until now.

Great Wall Motor (GWM) has announced plans to change that with the development of Great Faith, a GT3 race car powered by an in-house 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. The project also includes plans for a production model, signaling GWM’s broader push into performance vehicles.

The initiative is led by former McLaren chief engineer Adam Thomson, and according to Sportscar365, the car could make its racing debut as soon as 2027.

GWM’s Performance Push and Industry Impact

This GT3 effort aligns with GWM’s plans to launch a dedicated performance subsidiary, expanding beyond its current focus on crossovers, SUVs, and off-road vehicles. An exception to this focus is GWM’s Spotlight Automotive joint venture with BMW, which produces the electric Mini Cooper—though this model is not sold in North America.

The broader Chinese automotive industry is also making strides in motorsports. Chery has outlined a five-year roadmap to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while BYD has expressed interest in both Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship (WEC). Rumors suggest BYD may take over Alpine’s WEC campaign and field its own hypercar, potentially leveraging its Yangwang U9, which boasts nearly 3,000 horsepower in its top Xtreme specification.

Competition in the GT3 Arena

If Great Faith enters the GT3 grid, it will face stiff competition from established rivals, including Toyota’s GR GT3—which also features a 4.0-liter V8—and perennial contenders like the Porsche 911 GT3 R and Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo. For GWM, proving its car’s competitiveness on track will be critical to establishing Great Faith as a credible alternative in the category.

"For those who doubted! Great Wall is going for it!" — Sergio Fonseca, April 26, 2026

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