GAC Empow and GS8 to launch in PH this January
Fresh from announcing its takeover of the distribution of the GAC Motor brand in the country, Astara Philippines announced that it will be launching two new models for the said brand come January.
Set to arrive on Philippine shores next month are the Empow compact sedan and the second generation of the GS8 midsize SUV. If they sound familiar to you, that’s because both models were already previewed by GAC Motor’s former distributor at the 2022 Manila International Auto Show which was held in April.
The GAC Empow is a compact sedan that is expected to directly compete with the likes of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla Altis. Looking at its exterior, the Empow is certainly aggressive with its upswept LED headlights, Mecha grille with double-side blade air curtains, 18-inch alloy wheels with yellow disc brake calipers, sloping rear windshield, and slim LED taillights.
Under the GAC Empow’s hood is a 1.5-liter Inline 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine capable of producing an output of 175 horsepower and 270 Nm of torque. It is paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The GAC GS8 on the other hand is the brand’s flagship SUV offering, going against the likes of the Ford Explorer and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. The exterior is undeniably an eye-catcher with its massive Flying Dynamic 4.0 Grille Design or Dragon Scale Wing dominating the front fascia, flanked by its Conquering Eyes full LED headlights that do an intricate dance when turned on. On the side it gets 20-inch alloy wheels while the rear features its Diamond LED taillights.
Under the hood of the all-new GAC GS8 is a 2.0-liter Inline 4-cylinder Mega Wave Power turbocharged engine that produces 251 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, paired to an Aisin 8-speed automatic transmission. Power is sent to all four wheels with its BorgWarnee Intelligent 4-wheel drive system.
Do take note that nothing has been announced by both GAC Motor and Astara Philippines as to what the local specifications and features of the Empow and GS8 could be. We won’t have to wait that long though as January is just a few weeks away.
