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GAC GS8: Exploring Its Design, Comfort and Performance

Summary

GS8 is a mid-sized 7-seater SUV from Chinese automaker GAC. It has a 2.0L turbocharged gasoline-powered engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle is bulky in appearance. We will explore it here and get to know about it in detail.

Introduction

There was a time when Chinese car companies focused only on price. They wanted to be the cheapest option in the market. Not anymore. They are now focusing on design, innovation, technology, and overall comfort.

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd., or GAC for short, is among top Chinese carmakers. It has to its credit various lineups of sedans, crossovers, and SUVs, etc. The GS8 belongs to its SUV family, and it is the flagship SUV by the company.

It has an imposing presence, an impressive exterior, rich features, and a luxurious interior. The turbocharged 2.0L gasoline-powered engine can produce 199 hp and 320 Nm of torque. The 6-speed transmission is automatic. The vehicle is available in both 2WD and 4WD formats.

Let’s dive deep into this vehicle and explore all its features, along with the pros and cons, to see if it is worth the hype.

Core Details of GS8

Here's a look at GS8 through its exterior, interior, and performance.

Exterior

The GS8 has a towering personality. It cannot be ignored. The front chrome grille looks striking. There is also a camera given in the grille. The big LED headlamps are squarish in shape and come with daytime running lights. They are one of a kind.

The taillights are no exception when it comes to uniqueness. The LED taillamps are tunnel-type and shaped somewhat like the digit 8. They look futuristic and add a premium touch to the vehicle.

There are twin exhaust pipes at the back, which look very stylish. The sides are broad yet contoured to give the vehicle a sleek look. The lines mesh with the design of the vehicle perfectly. The side mirrors are equipped with cameras and intelligent memory functions. There are roof rails, a shark fin antenna, and a mudguard.

The high-mounted LED taillights are standard. To navigate the roads, there are 18- and 19-inch alloy wheels for 2WD and 4WD variants. The overall exterior looks undoubtedly impressive, and you cannot help but take notice of it.

Interior

The interior is where the magic happens. It is luxurious, refined, and very upscale. The leather seats are standard, comfortable, and well-cushioned. Alcantara material is used in some parts, like door panels. The satin-finished faux wood panels look fabulous.

The 6-way adjustable driver’s seat is heated and ventilated. The steering wheel is fully adjustable. There is plenty of space, with ample legroom as well as headroom. The second-row seats offer the options of both sliding and reclining.

There is a fold-down armrest for the second-row passengers. The third-row seats have adequate space too. The back-seat passengers also get AC vents, with independent controls.

The 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system is responsive to touch and offers Bluetooth, USB, MP3, and hands-free telephony connectivity. To enhance your listening pleasure, it is fitted with 6 speakers.

All the stereo and telephone controls are conveniently mounted on the steering wheel. There is also an electronically powered sunroof. The boot space is sufficient even with the last row of two seats intact. The space can be further increased by folding them.

The interior of GS8 packs in enough comfort and features to make your ride as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Performance

The GS8 has under its hood a 2.0L DOHC 16-valve, inline-4, turbocharged gasoline engine. It is capable of producing 199 horsepower and 320 newton-metres of torque. The engine is made more efficient as it is connected to a 6-speed automatic transmission that transfers all power to the front wheels.

There is a MacPherson-type independent suspension with coil springs at the front and a multi-link independent beam suspension at the back. This combination has made GS8 sturdy enough to brave any road imperfections.

On the face of it, the engine looks smaller when you compare it with other vehicles in this class, but it is a smart move by the manufacturer, as it promises fuel efficiency and smooth acceleration. The engine produces enough torque to guarantee a thrilling ride anyway.

The fuel efficiency is around 7 km/litre on city roads and around 11 km/litre on a highway. The ride quality is very smooth, and the SUV feels nimble despite its size. There are different driving modes, like Eco, Normal, Snow, etc. You can also take it for off-road adventures, and it will not disappoint you.

Pros and Cons

We will now look at what is going in favor of GS8 and what is not.

Pros

Striking looks.
Top-notch LED lamps.
It is quite roomy and spacious from the inside.
There are plenty of safety and driving features to make for a comforting ride.
The finish and look of the inner cabin are decent, neat, and polished.
Equipped with 6 cameras to give a perfect 360-degree view with blind-spot monitoring.
Offers a remote ignition start.
Luxury at a reasonable price.
Easy to navigate around tight corners and road bends.

Cons

Noise insulation could be improved.
There is no Android Auto, only Apple CarPlay.
Cameras fall short of performance during the night.
The box-like appearance may not appeal to all.
The fuel economy could have been better.

Verdict

The GS8 has a lot of things going for it. The company is pushing it as a luxury mid-sized SUV. It does have a lot of potential and can give competition to its more established rivals. The build quality is solid. It looks expensive, and there are many premium features that you can show off.

The drive itself is smooth and comfortable. And to top it off, it is very reasonably priced. So, with all these advantages, we are sure this SUV will go down well with its users and will make a place for itself in the crowded market of SUVs.

References

https://ph.priceprice.com/

https://www.autodeal.com.ph/

https://www.topgear.com.ph/

https://www.carmudi.com.ph/

https://www.zigwheels.ph/