Here’s everything you need to know about the GAC Emkoo Hybrid

As you may or may not know, the GAC Emkoo is now available in the Philippines with an electrified Hybrid variant. The electrified compact crossover was previewed a few months ago in April at the 2024 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS).

GAC Motor Philippines, under the distributorship of Astara Philippines, recently invited us to take the new GAC Emkoo Hybrid on a quick day drive to experience it ourselves. While our impressions will be coming soon, here is what we already know about it.

For starters, powering the Emkoo Hybrid is a 2.0-liter Inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine that runs on the Atkinson Cycle. It produces 140 horsepower and 180 Nm of torque on its own.

It is paired to a 134 kW electric motor that makes 300 Nm or torque, and a lithium-ion battery. Total combined output is 238 horsepower, making it among the most powerful in the segment. It is then mated to a two-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT). It is claimed to have an average fuel consumption of 22.1 km/l.

In terms of design and equipment, the GAC Emkoo Hybrid is largely identical to the previously top-spec GL variant. In front it still gets the V-shaped front grille matched with T-shaped LED headlights, while the side gets the same 19-inch two-tone alloy wheels, and the rear’s easily recognizable Laser Sword taillights. Also noticeable is the blue highlight around the GAC emblem.

The interior is also largely the same with its Chinese scroll-inspired central airconditioning vent design, dual screen setup, and rotary interior door handle.

It still gets a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity, and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. These have been updated to include an energy monitor to see how power is distributed within the hybrid system.

Other standard equipment are also the same as the GL variant such as leather seats, ventilated front seats, power tailgate, a panoramic glass roof, rain-sensing wipers, a six-speaker audio system, and ambient lighting.

The Emkoo Hybrid also get a few added safety features compared to the GL with blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, and rear collision warning. 

Those are in addition to the rest of the ADiGo advanced driver-assistance suite which is already composed of adaptive cruise control with integrated cruise assist, traffic sign recognition, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, traffic jam assist, and high beam assist.

Three exterior colors are available for the Hybrid: Superstar Silver, Snowy White, and Elegant Black. These are all matched a black interior with red accents.

And like what we previously saw on a dealership’s Facebook page, the GAC Emkoo Hybrid is priced at Php 1,698,000. 

That puts it head-to-head with models such as the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i (at Php 1.548-million), Toyota Corolla Cross (1.8 V HEV variant at Php 1.763-million) and the GWM Haval H6 HEV (Max variant at Php 1.788-million). That’s also Php 200,000 more than the current top-spec 1.5 GL DCT variant which is priced at Php 1.498-million.

With all that in mind, do you think the GAC Emkoo Hybrid is another good move by the popular Chinese brand? Our first impressions will be coming soon.