Minivans are almost always built around the idea of spaciousness, but GAC has a different approach: take the large M8 and turn the rear of the cabin into a separate VIP space for just two people. The result is the M8 Lounge — a model that externally completely replicates the familiar three-row business van but actually functions as a personal mobile office or mini-lounge. And while the regular version of the M8 confidently holds the status of the most popular business van in Russia, the Lounge plays in a different league — for those who value silence, privacy, and the feeling of a personal jet more.
There are minimal external differences. The same angular LED headlights, massive grille, flat sidewalls, and discreet 18-inch wheels with fixed emblems in the center. All the body "metal" completely replicates the regular M8, and it is impossible to recognize the flagship in advance. They didn't even come up with a unique color for the Lounge — only black, white, and a rare bronze.
The main feature of the version is hidden inside: a massive partition separating the driver's cabin from the rear VIP block. This is not just glass but a full-fledged "wall" with acoustic insulation and a large window that can become transparent or opaque on command. Behind the partition are two full-fledged throne chairs with electric drives, ventilation, heating, massage, separate wireless chargers, and their own control panel for the entire rear zone.
The front of the cabin has hardly changed. The driver gets a comfortable steering wheel with adjustments in two planes, a good seat with memory, and the familiar panel architecture from the standard M8. The only nuance is that due to the partition, it is impossible to fully recline the passenger seat, as in the regular version, but in the VIP format, this is unlikely to be a problem. The large 14.6-inch multimedia system screen works stably, although in some places the translation of the interface is confusing.
The rear compartment is the main argument for the Lounge. Between the seats is a mini-bar with cooling down to –10 °C, and under the floor are hidden niches for shoes. Between the VIP seats and the partition is a 34-inch television display, which can be used to output movies or presentations via HDMI or USB. The seats slide a long way, so you can fully stretch your legs without touching the partition. There are curtains, multi-colored lighting, and a separate climate control unit.
Practicality is sacrificed for comfort. There is no third row, and the M8 Lounge is designed for only two people in the back. But the trunk remains suitable for travel: more than 500 liters, and even more with the seats moved forward. The loading area is deep, but, as in regular minivans, the shapes are not the most convenient.
Technically, the Lounge is the same M8: GPMA-L platform, front-wheel drive, two-liter GAC 4B20J1 turbo engine, and a proven eight-speed Aisin TG-81SC automatic transmission. The engine in the Russian specification produces 231 hp and 380 N·m, and the automatic transmission works smoothly and almost imperceptibly. The suspension is independent, with adaptive electromagnetic shock absorbers in the top version, and they provide balanced behavior.
Despite its impressive size, the M8 Lounge handles well on the road: it doesn't sway, doesn't require constant adjustments, and the chassis' energy intensity allows it to smooth out most bumps. On a good road, the car drives almost like a large premium sedan, although a slight tremor from sharp joints still breaks through inside — the cost of the absence of air suspension. The average consumption in the city is about 11.5 liters, on the highway — 7.5–8 liters.
The Lounge has a fixed configuration: a "starry sky" on the ceiling, an advanced audio system with 13 speakers, a digital interior mirror, adaptive suspension, and a full set of driver assistants. The only drawback in terms of equipment is the reduced number of airbags: side curtains are not compatible with the partition. The cost is 7,499,999 rubles, which is approximately one million more expensive than the nearest seven-seater GX Premium version.
The Lounge has few competitors. The Hongqi HQ9 offers premium status and a three-row cabin, and the Wey 80 offers modern electrification, but they do not have a direct analogue to the VIP format. The M8 Lounge remains an almost unique offer — in fact, a mini-limousine for two.
