Less ka-ching, more ka-chow: GAC Empow GE

The sporty sedan category is the go-to segment for car buyers looking for fun and exciting daily drivers. But oftentimes that exhilaration comes with a premium price.

One nameplate, in particular, is changing the meta by offering more ka-chow for less ka-ching. Here’s our take on the GAC Empow GE variant.

Stylish, sporty

GAC Motor Philippines’ entry into the local sedan market boasts a stylish and sporty look.

At the fore, the GAC Empow GE packs an aggressive-looking grille. The latticework is accompanied by bright yellow appliques as well as carbon fiber-style trims that give the fascia of the sedan an athletic appeal. It also gets a buff bonnet to boot.

To the sides of the grillework are a pair of LED headlamps and LED daytime running lights that provide ample illumination in different driving conditions.

Notably, the headlights have automatic and follow-me-home functionalities. This means the main lamp turns itself on (or off) based on the dimness of the surroundings. Further, it remains on for several seconds after the engine is shut off to provide illumination while leaving the garage or entering one’s abode.

The side profile of the GAC Empow GE likewise offers a good mix of sporty and sleek design elements. Eye-catching is its set of 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels wrapped in 225/60 series tires. Hiding inside the said wheels are yellow brake calipers that go well with the aforementioned inserts found on the front end of the vehicle.

Other sporty features one can spot from this angle include side sill garnishes with carbon fiber-design trims as well as side mirrors (with turn signals) that have the same faux carbon fiber treatment.

Graceful are its flowing bodylines that create both a strong, stable look as well as an agile appearance befitting the GAC Empow GE. The coupe-like silhouette brought by its sloping roof also adds a dash of elegance, typically seen among European cars.

Finally, the rear end of the vehicle has a decent-sized glass, which helps in maneuvering without needing the aid of driving nannies. While it lacks a roof-mounted spoiler, it wears large diffusers with carbon-fiber trims. Here, one can also notice its functional quad exhaust pipes that let out deep, guttural notes.

Rounding up its exterior features are two LED taillamps, reflectors spread around its hind part, and an automatic trunk lid, which can be opened remotely using the key fob or through a dedicated button inside the vehicle.

Overall, the GAC Empow GE appears to be a sporty sedan that has the right balance of elegance, maturity, and aggressiveness. That said, we understand why it is being called an alternative to the Honda Civic Type R, at least to the latest iteration of the Japanese nameplate’s performance-oriented model.

Stately interior

The cabin of the GAC Empow GE has a surprisingly luxurious interior.

Greeting the driver as well as the front passenger are leather front seats. The upholstery has perforation for breathability, red stitching for sportiness, and GAC’s logo peppered all over the bolsters for one’s shoulders.

The same material is used for the front armrest and the rear bench, which also has a pull-down armrest and provisions for two beverages. On that note, one will find red accent stitching as well as a handful of GAC branding on these surfaces.

A leather-wrapped steering wheel with red stitching, carbon-fiber detailing, multi-functional controls, a flat bottom, and a red leather accent on the 12 o’clock mark is presented to the driver. Past it is a seven-inch instrument cluster housed in the same panel as the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display screen.

Now, the steering wheel has controls for audio, calls, and some of the GAC Empow GE’s advanced driver assist systems. Here, a small “exhaust” icon is placed by the carmaker. Pressing the said button can boost the exhaust sound (depending on the selected drive mode, which we’ll get to in a few) of the sporty sedan.

The GAC Empow GE has a center console with carbon fiber trims packed with the essentials. These include the gear shifter of course, a selector for the drive modes, a volume control, the switch for the electronic parking brake, as well as the car’s push-start button.

A space is available for one’s smartphone but does not have wireless charging capabilities. We, on the other hand, loved that the switches for the dual-zone automatic air conditioning unit are not digital. This means one can make certain adjustments on the fly without having to be bothered fiddling through the infotainment screen.

Other notable cabin amenities include a dedicated air conditioning vent for the rear passengers, a large enough sunroof, and useful cubby holes.

Powertrain, performance

Powering the GAC Empow GE is a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine mated to a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission system. On paper, it makes some 174 horsepower with 270 Newton-meters of torque.

The said numbers translate to a peppy drive with smooth shifting (but could feel a little jumpy in stop-and-go traffic) and a better connection between the engine and the wheel. On that note, power is delivered evenly across the rev range and acceleration is more pronounced — especially on select driving modes.

Speaking of which, the GAC Empow GE’s drive modes include Eco, Comfort, Sport, and our favorite Sport+.

As one would imagine, Eco mode limits power to help preserve fuel. Comfort, on the other hand, ups the car’s performance by delivering ample “oomph” while Sport makes the engine feel more responsive. Sport+ squeezes every ounce of “grunt” the powertrain has to offer and gives one a taste of what g-force is like when going full send.

To note, the aforementioned exhaust button on the steering wheel works only with modes Comfort up to Sport+. It adds excitement to one’s drive, but we suggest toggling it off or switching to Eco mode else you want to be the topic at the next homeowners’ meeting.

Safety

The GAC Empow GE is equipped with a robust list of safety features. These include a slew of seatbelts and airbags, electronic stability program, hydraulic brake assist, hill-start hold control, electronic brake-force distribution, an anti-lock braking system, rear parking sensors, a rear view camera system, and an immobilizer.

Its advanced driver assist technologies consists of adaptive cruise control, high beam assist, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and traffic jam assist.

Pricing, variants

The GAC Empow is offered in three variants — GS, GB, and the range-topping GE. Below are their respective prices:

GAC Empow GS: P1.225 million
GAC Empow GB: P1.305 million
GAC Empow GE: P1.348 million

Final thoughts

The GAC Empow GE does make for an exciting daily driver that not only looks the part but also performs like a proper sporty sedan.

It does lack a stick shift, which many car owners who prefer to drive instead of be driven would agree plays an important role in becoming “one with the machine.” However, the GAC Empow GE comes with paddle shifters, which is essentially a modern take on the traditional gear shifter, minus the clutch pedal.

To boot, it comes with an attainable price tag, which is favorable for most car buyers.

For comparison’s sake, the top-of-the-line GAC Empow is still P2.5 million cheaper than the Honda Civic Type R and P1.4 million cheaper than the Toyota GR 86.

Also read:

Is the GAC Empow a capable track car?

Stand out in sleek sedans: GAC Empow vs. MG GT

GAC Motor PH to conduct track day, test drive for Empow this weekend