since 1976
since 1976
By Lee Pang Seng
WITH the SUV (sport utility vehicle) market in full swing, the entry of new players gives buyers more options to consider. This trend is taking place across the different model platforms, from the entry level to the mid-range models to the comparative D-level premium class options.
WTC Automotif (M) Sdn Bhd, which is part of the Tan Chong Group, obviously saw this potential by introducing the GAC (Guangzhou Automotive Company) GS3 SUV at the end of 2021. However, the first batch of 50 vehicles was only brought here in May 2022 to start the ball rolling as more batches would follow, with a batch of 20 GS3 SUVs due in August.
Interest in this China-made SUV has gained momentum, more so since such SUVs are already leading players in the Malaysian market under the Proton brand; these being the X50 and X70. GAC is already a major automotive company in China having established a strong footprint in the industry and is a Fortune Global 500 company in 2021.
Over there it has established joint ventures with three Japanese companies – Honda, Mitsubishi and Toyota – among others in which technology transfer was arranged. Through its own research and development (R&D), GAC has come up with its own distinctive models to spearhead its market expansion.
As a new player in the Malaysian market, it might take a while before GAC could carve out a niche for itself. The imported GAC GS3 has many competitors in its price range (RM96,800 to RM105,800, on the road without insurance but with SST) in the mid-range segment including the highly popular Proton X50. Nevertheless, WTC Automotif says there are many enquiries and interest shown leading to bookings made for the second batch that is due shortly.
We had the GAC GS3 over a weekend and came away reasonably impressed with its driving manners and good ride comfort. Design-wise, the GAC GS3 holds its own and is not an adaptation of an existing model from Japan. China automotive players have reconciled to the fact that they have to grow on their own merit to gain inroads and acceptance, especially with ambitions to look beyond China.
The GAC GS3 has smooth flowing body lines that were aerodynamically shaped in a wind tunnel and would stamp its individual presence readily on our roads. WTC Automotif has two models to capture the prospective buyer’s imagination – Standard and Premium – and we had a go in the latter.
As a Premium model, it comes with full leatherette upholstery, push start button, 3.5-inch LCD (liquid crystal display) in the instrument panel to offer additional information, and second row centre headrest and foldable armrest. For the exterior, it has front fog lamps, shark fin antenna on the roof, black roof, roof rails and wing mirror covers.
Sitting on a wheelbase of 2560mm, a body length of 4358mm and body width of 1825mm, the GAC GS3 has the dimensions to rival its competitors. WTC Automotif says the interior space is the widest in its class measuring 1500mm. We could feel that the legroom was certainly ample while settling onto the rear seats, which should accommodate three nicely.
Powering the GAC GS3 is a 1.5-litre (1495cc) four-cylinder engine with Dual-CVVT (continuously variable valve timing) that the company has developed. Its output is ample at 84kW (114PS) at 6000rpm and 150Nm at 4500rpm. An Aisin six-speed automatic with Sport mode, sourced from Japan, conveys the engine output to the front wheels.
As we settled into the six-way adjustable driver’s seat, we learnt that all the adjustments are manually made. No electronic pampering for a Premium model here. The height adjustable steering wheel has no telescopic options to widen reach options but it does come with adjustable electrically-powered wheel control – Comfort, Standard or Sport.
To get that, we had to select Menu via the eight-inch touchscreen on the floating centre dash and go to Vehicle Settings. Comfort means more electrical assistance to make turning the steering wheel light and easy, ideal for manoeuvring in tight urban areas. Standard, which we used most of the time, gave us a nicely weighted feel that we were comfortable with in urban and highway driving. Sport mode has the least electrical assistance that some would prefer for a heavier and more solid feel.
Tactile feel, especially of the steering wheel, could be improved to match that in some of its rivals although ergonomically, the reach to most of the frequently used spaces and controls is good. And if you want to enjoy some cool air while in Cameron Highlands, the sunroof is another way to enjoy the rush of the refreshingly chilled morning air.
The GAC GS3 got going easily and there was no hint of the 1.5-litre engine being bogged down by the vehicle’s 1350kg kerb weight. We did feel the engine a little less responsive going up inclines but selecting Sport mode on the gearshift would raise engine speed and in turn, a higher torque/power point to pick up speed quickly. Or simply put the foot down on the accelerator to get the automatic transmission downshifting to a lower gear.
Firewall insulation is good and we didn’t hear much of the engine as we revved up. From the muted notes, the engine sounded smooth enough at the higher end of the rpm range. On the highway, the engine turned at just above 2000rpm to cruise at 110km/h, which should give it respectable fuel mileages. GAC says it would return 6.9L/100km (almost 14.5km/l) and the 50-litre fuel tank should take you from KL to Penang with more than enough fuel left to go sightseeing as well.
Highway drives were a quiet affair as the aerodynamically efficient body kept wind noise to a minimum. We also like its manners through winding stretches and sweepers. Body lean was well checked and good directional feel through the electric power steering (with Standard assistance) allowed us to drive through such roads at pretty fast speeds confidently. The GAC GS3 comes with SUV tyres made in China – Leao Batman A51 215/60 R17 – that offered good grip (we didn’t have the opportunity to try that in the wet though).
The ride was generally good and the independent MacPherson front and Torsion Beam rear suspension seemed well tuned to provide that. It might feel be a bit firm over bumpy stretches but the impression from the front was mostly an appreciable one.
The luggage area with its 356-litre space looks sizeable to accommodate the luggage of five people on a short holiday. With fewer people on board, the 60:40 split rear seatrests could be folded away easily to accommodate more items.
There are no daytime running lights (DRL) that most, if not all, of its competitors have. There is also no automatic headlamp activation either. As such, we had to turn on the headlamps manually when we took the Smart tunnel to get across town and switch them off when exiting.
In safety equipment, the GAC GS3 won’t fall short with a reasonably comprehensive list. This includes six airbags for the Premium model (four for the Standard), Bosch Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), Emergency Stop Signal, Hill Start Control, Hill Descent Control and Blind Spot Detection.
The GAC GS3 comes with a five-year or 150,000km warranty and five colour options between the two models. WTC Automotif says a special limited edition of Iceberg Blue for the Premium model would be brought here in August.
There are six Edaran Tan Chong service centres in the Klang Valley that have personnel trained to handle the service and repairs of GAC vehicles. WTC Automotif says the service network would be expanded beyond the Klang Valley in due course.
