since 1976
since 1976
By Lee Pang Seng
OUR first encounter with a GAC SUV (sport utility vehicle) was in mid-2022 in the GAC GS3. This was a B-segment SUV that was very attractively priced as a fully imported vehicle at between RM96,000 and RM106,000.
GAC stands for Guangzhou Automotive Company and the franchise was held by WTC Automotif, a company under the Tan Chong Group. Response to the GS3 was somewhat lukewarm as the competition, especially that from the Proton X50, was pretty intense.
It has not deterred WTC Automotif from expanding on its GAC model range and late last year, it introduced the GAC Emkoo that is targeted at customers in the C-segment SUV category. Like the GS3, the Emkoo comes very attractively priced at RM123,800 to RM133,800 for the respective variant.
However, unlike the GS3, the Emkoo comes fitted with premium equipment that makes it a more interesting option for buyers at a very competitive price against rivals such as the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5. It also holds its own against the lower-priced Proton X70 with its array of standard equipment.
The fact that it is making better market penetration than the GS3 is that the first batch of vehicles that were locally assembled was already sold out. When we took the Emkoo for a drive experience, the assembly plant was being hurried to produce more vehicles to meet rising demand.
For a start, the GAC Emkoo has a more impactful body design that helps it to carve out an individual niche among its peers. The use of unusual styling elements such as the sharply angular LED (light emitting diode) lamps in front and rear, and the slat front grille based on a V-arrangement. Combined, these design touches make the Emkoo easily recognised in the sea of traffic.
The rear aero-spoiler at the end of the roof line adds a sporty touch that complements the chrome and black 19-inch alloy wheels (fitted with 235/55 R19 Continental EcoContact tyres) and thick black garnish for the front and rear bumpers. Dimensionally, the Emkoo is right up there with its peers being 4680mm long, 1670mm tall and 1901mm wide. It has a wheelbase of 2750mm that ensures a spacious interior.
On getting into the Emkoo, we had our first surprise; this being the higher price Premium Pro variant, the driver’s seat was electronically adjusted rearwards to facilitate easy entry. This driver memory seat with easy entry and exit function is not an item you would find in cars at this price point but in exclusive cars way, way up the price ladder.
To restore the seat to the last set position, we had to switch on the engine so that it wouldn’t drain the battery unnecessarily. After we adjusted the driver’s seat to the way we would prefer it, that would serve as the last set position as part of the seat memory function. Even the front passenger enjoys electronic seat adjustment but a four-way one, unlike the six-way adjustments for the driver. Both front seats come with ventilation selection.
The multi-colour LED ambient lighting adds to its premium feel and the Air Quality Sensor and Air Ioniser should ensure fresh air for the interior during long distance drives. Opening the doors from the inside is via toggle levers at the end of each door armrest; rather unusual in operation and needs some getting used to.
From the driver’s perspective, our favourite item, the HUD (head up display), comes standard and the instrumental panel graphics are projected onto the front windscreen in high and clear colour definition. Selecting the gears is another toggle switch experience on the central console. The layout here is very simple and includes the engine stop/start button (a change from being on the dashboard).
There is a hazard warning button right up front, followed by the engine stop/start button, the toggle switch gear selector and the electronic parking lever. To select the respective mode, you merely flipped the toggle switch front or back. There is also an electronic parking button beside the gear mode guide.
Other than, manual controls are few; these include the Auto button for the air-conditioning system, rear windscreen demist, and a rotary knob on one end of the central air-cond vents for the front passenger to adjust the temperature. That seems like a bit of an afterthought as most controls are accessed via the 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen display.
This includes selection of the three drive modes – Eco, Comfort and Sport. Eco is best when you want to stretch the fuel mileage as engine response is gentle to accelerator input while the other extreme of Sport mode engages a lower gear so that engine revs are higher and at a point when ready power is available for quick passing moves.
We selected Comfort mode for most of our drives as we felt that engine response was just right for urban and highway drives. Providing the power is a 1.5-litre (1497cc) engine that is turbocharged, unlike the normally aspirated 1495cc unit in the GS3. That means more power being delivered at 130kW (177ps) at 5500rpm and 270Nm torque that peaks early at 1400rpm and plateaus till 4500rpm. Engine output goes to the front wheels via a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.
GAC says the Emkoo would accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in 8.8 seconds, which is reasonably quick for an SUV tipping the scales at 1540kg (kerb). This weight is pretty similar to the rivals in its category. The top speed is given as 190km/h while its fuel frugal ways are supported by the 6.6 L/100km (or 15.1km/l) average fuel consumption according to the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) standards.
We were pretty happy with the power delivery for our daily needs and the few bursts of speed here and there gave us the confidence that if we needed more, there was ample push when required. The engine worked quietly, even when revved up for some quick overtaking, complementing the good body aerodynamics for a quiet drive on the highway.
We also liked its sure-footed ways when taken through our favourite winding areas; body lean was quite well checked when pushed hard through the corners, which encouraged us to explore its handling limits, especially with the Continental tyres offering good road grip as well. The suspension system has MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link rear.
Ride comfort was generally up to mark for the varied and uneven road surfaces we covered daily. Taken at reasonable speeds, the suspension displayed the capacity to soak up the road impacts over bumps, potholes and poorly patched tarmac sections, giving us a comfortable ride experience all round.
With the long wheelbase, rear seat passengers could enjoy the space to lounge, using the foldable centre armrest with fewer people on board. Luggage space is good too; with the 60:40 split rear seatrests up, there are 638 litres of space that should accommodate luggage for a motoring holiday. And if you need more space, folding the rear seatrests down would more than double the room to 1586 litres.
Against the GS3, we found the Emkoo a more endearing experience as we could make comparisons with our mid-spec Mazda CX-5. It certainly grew on us with each successive drive as we enjoyed all the features that our SUV didn’t have and discovered new ones along the way. It was a pity we didn’t get to drive with the panoramic sunroof opened as it was so hot during the few days the Emkoo was in our hands.
For its price of RM133,800 on the road without insurance, the GAC Emkoo Premium Pro is undeniably an attractive option to consider. After all, GAC is well established in China and has successful joint ventures with car companies that included Honda and Toyota. That should add positively to the GAC’s quality brand assurance.
And if you are wondering about its rather unusual name, Emkoo is described as an English sounding, phonetic translation of its Chinese name ‘Yingku’. That Chinese name apparently means ‘Shadow Cool’ that indicates Emkoo is part of GAC’s ‘Shadow’ series of vehicles in China.
SPECIFICATIONS
GAC Emkoo Premium Pro
Engine: 1,497cc, 16-valve, DOHC, 4-cylinder TGDi engine
Maximum power: 130kW/177PS at 5,500rpm
Maximum torque: 270Nm from 1,400 to 4,500rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed Wet Double-Clutch automatic
Suspension: Front MacPherson struts; rear multi-links
Features: Driver memory seat with auto easy entry and exit function, head-up display (HUD), compact crystal gear selector, ventilated and power adjustable front seats, multi-colour interior ambient lights, Air Quality Sensor (AQS), leatherette seats, 50W wireless smartphone charger, panoramic sunroof with electric sunshade, hands-free power tailgate, tyre pressure monitoring system, 360-degree Surround View system, front parking sensors, Adaptive Vehicle Dynamic Control (AVDC), Integrated Cruise Assist (ICA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Automatic Emergency Braking - Vulnerable Road Users Protection (AEB-VRU), Intelligent High Beam Control System (IHBC, Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Change Assist (LCA), Blind Spot Detection (BSD). Door Open Warning (DOW), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Rear Collision Warning (RCW), Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR), Full Automatic Parking Assist (FAPA)
