GAC PH slashes P700k off the GM8 minivan with new entry-level variant

Chinese car brand GAC has some pretty upscale offerings for the Philippine market. Its GM8 minivan in GT trim offers elegant styling, a plush interior, and sophisticated features that make a luxurious driving experience – all for Php 2,880,000. 

Still, there might be those who balk at the price tag compared to similar offerings from Japan and Korea. For them, there’s good news: GAC has brought in a second, more affordable GM8 variant called the Premiere that slashes P700,000 from the more upscale trim.

Also called the GE, the Premiere is physically identical to the GT’s in terms of design. The same prominent grille sits squarely on the fascia, flanked by LED headlamps and shapely daytime running lights.

Chrome accents abound on the Premiere’s body to give it a healthy dose of elegance. While it has the same power-adjustable side mirrors, the Premiere lacks power-fold functionality. It also omits the privacy glass that’s standard on the upper-spec variant. Wheels are 17-inch alloys, in contrast with the 18-inch ones fitted on the GT.

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Exterior styling is largely identical to the more premium GT trim

The cabin is largely the same as its more premium sibling, retaining the generous headroom and legroom that can accommodate up to seven occupants.

Second-row captain’s chairs and 60/40 split-fold third-row seats are still there, sans the leather material that’s standard on the GT. The panoramic moonroof is also absent, although this might make it easier for the tri-zone automatic climate control to cool the interior.

For entertainment, the Premiere carries over the 10-inch touchscreen head unit with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, connected to an eight-speaker system. Apple CarPlay, however, remains exclusive to the GT. 

The onboard entertainment system omits Apple CarPlay yet retains the eight-speaker system

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Forward motion is still courtesy of a 2.0L turbocharged gasoline engine with variable valve timing, rated at 199 hp and 320 Nm of torque. A six-speed auto gearbox transfers power to the front wheels.

The rear sensors make it easier to park the Premiere, and it retains most of GT’s safety features such as airbags, antilock brakes, stability control, traction control, and anti-rollover system.

All these features have the makings of a steal at Php 2,100,000. GAC is also supporting the GM8 Premiere with a five-year/150,000-km. warranty. If you’re in the market for a premium-looking minivan that won’t hurt the budget, the GAC GM8 Premiere is worth a look.

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