GAC GS8: Features explained

There is no denying the fact that the automobile industry in the Philippines (and in the rest of the world) has grown tremendously over the past few years. Today, consumers have a plethora of options to choose from in almost every segment be it a hatchback, sedan, cross-over, SUV, MPV, or others. This is a result of the fierce competition that forces car manufacturers to come up with new and better products.

GAC Motors Philippines is a brand that is usually overlooked by many consumers perhaps because it isn’t that popular in the country as the other brands like Toyota, Ford, etc. are. However, this does not mean that GAC is any less capable than its competitors when it comes to making cars. It is a part of a large group headquartered in Guangzhou, China. At present, it has five vehicles available in the Philippines. These are GS8, GS4, GA8, GA4, and GM8. In this story, we are going to focus on the GS8 and make you familiar with some of its interesting features.

Exterior Features

The GS8 is a really big SUV. Well, it had to be since it is a proper 7-seater. And we must say that GAC has done a great job in making sure the GS8 has a distinctive presence. This SUV looks unique in its own way from every angle. At the front, its headlights feature quad-LED setup in each unit. This means there are a total of eight lights just to show you what’s in front. And together they look fantastic. Then we have its elegant grille which consists of various horizontal chrome slats and also has a front camera. Below is the sporty bumper that is home for LED fog lamps.

On the side, the GAC GS8 will woo you with its large 19-inch alloy wheels that look ever-ready to tackle any kind of terrain. The outside rearview mirrors are electronically controlled and have inbuilt LED turn signals. You will find a camera on the mirrors too. GAC has also added roof rails to carry forward the sporty stance from the front.

Just like the front end, the rear end of the GS8 is very unique. Frankly, it is the LED tail lamps that do all the magic. They have numerous U-shaped LED bars which is something that we haven’t seen in any other SUV. Then we also get a roof-mounted rear spoiler with high-stop-lamp and a large boot door which can be opened with the press of a button on the car’s key fob.

Interior Features

The interior of the GAC GS8 is exactly what you would expect in an SUV of this size and price. There is no lack of space for all the occupants which means comfort is among the priorities here. The driver seat is 8-way power-adjustable whereas the front passenger seat is 6-way power-adjustable. There is also a memory function which allows you to save three of your favourite seat settings.

There are various controls on the steering wheel for audio, telephony, and cruise control. You also get paddle shifters. The instrument cluster is large and clear and has a MID (multi-info display) in the centre. Another great comfort feature of the GS8 is its 3-zone climate control and it really works. GAC has also provided AC vents on the ceiling for the rear passengers.

Engine and Performance

The GAC GS8 specs are mostly the same for both its variants - 4x2 and 4x4. Both these models are powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo engine which churns out a max power of 199 bhp and produces 320 Nm of peak torque. These are impressive figures for an engine of this capacity. It is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and there’s no option for a manual. If you want to take control, you can use the provided paddle shifters. Depending on the variant you pick, the GS8 will provide you with either 4x2 or 4x4 with four driving modes.

Safety features

It is good to know that GAC has not compromised in terms of safety. The GS8 comes with many of them like hill descent control, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, front, rear, and side cameras providing a 360-degree view, electronic stability program, hydraulic brake assist, electronic parking brake, ABS, numerous airbags, etc.

So, what do you think? We are pretty sure that you must have been quite impressed and surprised with the GS8. We were too when we came across it for the first time. The GAC GS8 price for the 4x2 variant is Php 1.88 million and the 4x4 variant costs Php 2.39 million. At this price point, the Ford Everest seems to be its direct rival. Which one would you prefer? If GS8 caught your interest, here are some exciting offers that the manufacturer is offering on this 7-seater SUV. 

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