Nobody expected the price tag on the new SOUEAST S08 Luxury. The seven-seat crossover has launched in the UAE at a special starting price of AED 99,900 — and that turns out to be only half the story.
The official spec sheet reveals hardware that looks serious for the money: a 2.0-litre turbo engine producing 187 kW, or around 254 hp, and 390 Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic. Drive is front-wheel only.
The S08 Luxury measures 4,810 mm in length with a 2,820 mm wheelbase. Standard kit includes 20-inch wheels, CDC electronically controlled dampers, a seven-seat cabin, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a rotating 15.6-inch infotainment screen. The front seats get heating, ventilation and massage, and the audio system runs 12 speakers.
But the ownership package is what really stands out. Elite Group Holding is backing the car with a 10-year or 1 million km warranty, five years of roadside assistance and three years of free servicing. Test drives at SOUEAST UAE showrooms begin on August 25.
“The launch of the S08 Luxury allows us to give customers greater choice, while continuing to offer vehicles built around comfort, technology and everyday convenience,” said Elie Nehme, Senior General Manager of SOUEAST UAE at Elite Group Holding.
The petrol S08 creates a noticeable price gap versus the plug-in hybrid that shares its name. DriveArabia lists the S08DM starting from around AED 125,000, putting the Luxury's launch offer roughly 20% lower. The comparison is only rough, though: the AED 99,900 figure is explicitly a special launch price, and terms for the PHEV and the petrol version may differ.
The next clear checkpoint for the S08 Luxury is August 25, when customer test drives begin. That should also clarify how long the launch price of AED 99,900 will run — SOUEAST has not yet stated a standing retail price separately.
