2.0-liter SOUO luxury touring motorcycle at the 2025 Auto Shanghai
With a 50-plus year history of blending supreme comfort and luxury in touring bikes, the Honda Gold Wing is an icon in the world of motorcycles. However, China is throwing its hat into the ring with a potential rival showcased at this year’s Auto Shanghai: the 2.0-liter SOUO motorcycle by GWM.
News about the SOUO emerged about a year ago when patents for a 2,000cc flat-8 were published. Now, after a year of refinements, the SOUO is now ready for the mass market as it was presented at the 2025 Auto Shanghai with an SRP that starts at RMB 218,000 or roughly PHP 1.68 million.
Boxer-8, 2,000cc
What truly sets the SOUO apart is its big powertrain. GWM (Great Wall Motor) engineered a unique 2.0-liter flat-8 (boxer) engine for this motorcycle. To put its size into perspective, this engine’s displacement and number of pistons are actually greater than what you’d find in the majority of sedans sold today.
This engine produces a claimed 153.6 ps at 6,500 rpm, and 190 nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. GWM paired this monster of an engine to an 8-speed, dual-clutch transmission (DCT) with both a reverse gear and “Walk Assist Mode”. We’re thinking that this Walk Assist Mode will use some of the engine’s power when moving the bike in the parking lot or garage.
Interestingly, the front suspension setup on the SOUO seems to echo the principles of BMW’s Telelever system. Known for contributing to the BMW GS’s unique and impressive handling characteristics, this resemblance hints at a similar design philosophy for the SOUO’s front end.
Stopping power is provided by Brembo, with two 4-piston calipers on the front and one 4-piston caliper on the rear. The ABS is from Bosch.
Variants
GWM is positioning its new SOUO as China’s first luxury motorcycle, offering it in three distinct variants. The base model starts at RMB 218,000, the GL with side panniers costs RMB 238,800 (roughly PHP 1.85 million), and the premium Founder Edition is priced at RMB 288,800 (around PHP 2.23 million). As of now, GWM Philippines has not announced any plans to bring the SOUO to the local market.
