The GAC Empow is a five-seater, four-door sedan. In the Philippine market, it has three different variants. There’s the base GS DCT priced at Php 1,225,000, the midspec GB DCT which can be had for Php 1,305,000, and the top-spec GE GCT which retails at Php 1,348,000.
Powering the GAC Empow is a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline engine that’s capable of producing up to 168 horsepower and 270 Nm of torque. Power is then sent to its front wheels via a seven-speed wet-type dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Size-wise, the Empow is 4,700mm long, 1,850mm wide, and 1,432mm in height. Its wheelbase then spans 2,736mm.
Locally, the 2023 GAC Empow competes against the Toyota Corolla Altis, Honda Civic, MG6, among others.
Launch
The GAC Empow was initially introduced at the 2020 Guangzhou Auto Show. Following that, the sedan was shown off at the 2022 MIAS as a preview. It then made its official Philippine market debut in January 2023.
Exterior
The GAC Empow comes in the guise of a sporty-looking compact sedan. On its front are LED headlamps, and LED daytime running lamps. It also comes with rain sensing wipers, and heated auto folding mirrors.
Depending on the trim, it then rides on a set of 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch alloy wheels.
Interior
Up to five can occupy the GAC Empow. Everyone inside are then kept cool by a dual-zone automatic air-conditioner. Its seats are then trimmed with PVC leather, though some variants use fabric.
Also present aboard the Empow are ambient lighting, and a power sunroof. The driver is then provided with leather-wrapped steering wheel, a digital gauge cluster, a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, a push-to-start button, among others.
Tech & Safety
Keeping the Empow’s occupants entertained is a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity. It is then linked to a total of 2 or 6 speakers depending on the variant.
Upper trims of the Empow then come with adaptive cruise control, high-beam assist, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and traffic jam assist.
Standard on all variants are dual front airbags, anti-lock braking, rear parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat anchors, an engine immobilizer, a tire pressure monitor, an electronic parking brake, hill-start control, stability control, etc.
Other trims present on the higher spec Empow trims include front side and side curtain airbags, a reverse camera, a rear-view camera, and front sensors.
Engine
Under the hood of the Empow is a 1.5-liter turbo inline-4 gasoline engine that can produce up to 168 horsepower and 270 Nm of torque. Power is sent to its front wheels via a seven-speed wet-type dual clutch transmission.
Chassis
The GAC Empow is a compact, front-engine, front-wheel-drive sedan. It uses a MacPherson strut transmission, and a multi-link rear suspension. Braking is then handled by disc brakes for all four wheels.