GAC Empow sedan, all-new GS8 SUV coming to PH in January

The reports about GAC Motor having a new distributor in the Philippines proved true. The Chinese car brand is now under the helm of Astara, the company that distributes Peugeot vehicles in the country. 

GAC Empow sedan

Astara Philippines is not waiting too long to make its mark as the new distributor of GAC Motor. This is because the company announced that it would be officially launching two new GAC Motor vehicles next month, the Empow sedan and the all-new GS8 SUV. 

The two GAC vehicles were first previewed during the 2022 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) last April. Although, the two vehicles were not yet officially launched at the said show. GAC Motor previously said that it is just a sneak peek, and plans to formally introduce it into the local market by 2023. With the dust finally settled, the Empow’s and the all-new GS8’s Philippine launch will be on January 10, 2023. 

The Empow has an athletic stance

The GAC Empow is a compact sedan that features an athletic exterior design. It has a striking front end that’s highlighted by sharp headlights, an angular bumper, and a massive grille. The Empow also has crisp character lines running on the side, adding to the vehicle’s assertive stance. 

The Empow shown at the 2022 MIAS is equipped with a set of 18-inch alloy wheels. It also has distinctive taillights, a muscular rear bumper, and a four-tailpipe setup that’s said to have an on/off switch for the exhaust sound. 

The GAC Empow shown at the 2022 MIAS comes with quad exhaust pipes

The initial power unit equipped on the GAC Empow shown at MIAS is a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that can put out 175 hp and 270 Nm of torque. The engine is connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. GAC Motor claims that the Empow can go from zero to 100 km/h in 6.95 seconds. 

All-new GAC GS8 SUV

Astara PH will also be debuting the all-new GAC GS8 seven-seater SUV alongside the Empow in January. Based on the model previewed at the 2022 MIAS, the all-new GS8 has a commanding look. The front fascia has an aggressive demeanor thanks to the headlight design that’s complemented by a large grille, which is called Flying Dynamic 4.0 or dragon scale wing.

At the back, the all-new GAC GS8 is fitted with large taillights, a prominent tailgate design, and dual exhaust pipes. The SUV is then finished off with 20-inch alloy wheels.  

Astara PH said that the seven-seater SUV has been “upgraded to bring prestige to premium buyers.” That said, we could expect it to have features such as a 12.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen. 

It has 400 Nm of torque

In terms of safety tech, the all-new GS8 could come with a 360-degree 3D view camera, an Augmented-Reality Head-Up Display, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, autonomous emergency braking, parking assist, among others. 

Under the hood, the GS8 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine that generates 251 hp and 400 Nm of torque. It is then connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Take note that the specs and features mentioned above are based on the Empow and the GS8 that were shown at the 2022 MIAS. Astara PH has yet to release the official specs of the upcoming GAC vehicles. The two vehicles will be officially making their Philippine launch on January 10, 2023.

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