In a landmark achievement for global hybrid innovation, GWM’s advanced Hi4 hybrid technology has been awarded the Grand Prize of the 2025 Science and Technology Award by the China Society of Automotive Engineers (China SAE) — the first time in more than three decades that a hybrid system has received the nation’s highest automotive engineering honour.
The recognition underscores GWM’s leadership in hybrid powertrain development and its commitment to driving world-class innovation across both performance and sustainability.
Approved by the Chinese government and judged by an expert panel of leading engineers, academics, and industry figures, the China SAE Grand Prize represents one of the most prestigious distinctions in the automotive sector. The award celebrates GWM’s groundbreaking intelligent 4WD electric hybrid technology — known globally as Hi4 — for its advancements in power performance, battery safety, and intelligent off-road capability.
A Breakthrough in Intelligent Hybrid Engineering
GWM’s groundbreaking Hi4 system represents a major leap forward in hybrid technology, introducing a world-first twin-motor, multi-gear series-parallel four-wheel-drive architecture. Featuring three power sources and nine intelligent operating modes, Hi4 delivers fast, smooth, quiet and efficient performance across all driving conditions.
At the core of Hi4 lies a series of genuine technological breakthroughs, not just an evolution of the hybrid powertrain, but a complete reimagining of how intelligent four-wheel drive can operate in both every day and extreme environments. Hi4’s intelligent terrain recognition system can identify up to 32 off-road surfaces and three urban driving scenarios with 99% accuracy, automatically adjusting power distribution to suit changing conditions. A specially developed high-protection battery pack ensures reliable power delivery across all temperature ranges, offering class-leading safety, durability and performance.
Traditional hybrid systems have long faced limitations in achieving true four-wheel-drive capability. GWM’s Hi4 technology overcomes this barrier with its innovative twin-motor, multi-gear series-parallel architecture — a global first that provides a scalable, intelligent four-wheel-drive platform adaptable across multiple vehicle types and applications.
Hi4 also pioneers advancements in battery safety and off-road intelligence. Its off-road-dedicated battery system delivers full-temperature-domain power output and enhanced protection, setting new standards in hybrid vehicle safety. Meanwhile, GWM’s self-developed recognition control technology ensures near-perfect accuracy in identifying terrain and driving scenarios, virtually eliminating the risk of incorrect mode selection.
Together, these innovations mark a major milestone in GWM’s pursuit of “four-wheel drive for all” — transforming advanced hybrid technology into everyday reality with accessible pricing.
Since its launch in May 2023, vehicles equipped with the Hi4 technology have achieved global cumulative sales of some 410,000 units by end-2024. In its home market of China, the Hi4 technology has propelled GWM’s new-energy off-road segment from a 10% market share in 2020 to 52% in 2024. Internationally, Hi4-equipped models will become a key pillar for growth in markets including Australia and New Zealand.
“This award reaffirms GWM’s unwavering focus on innovation, leadership, and excellence in technology,” said Steve Maciver, Head of Marketing Communications for GWM ANZ. “Hi4 represents not just a new hybrid system, but a new era in intelligent and efficient four-wheel-drive mobility. We’re proud to bring this award-winning technology to our Australian and New Zealand customers.”
GWM will continue expanding its range of Hi4-equipped models across Australia and New Zealand, further strengthening its creditability as a leader in intelligent hybrid mobility.
For more information, please visit https://www.gwm-global.com/innovation/nev.html