GAC GS8 Chinese SUV: Imposing presence and impressive value

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(Photos: Hamzeh Abulraghab)
The completely new large family SUV of GAC has reached the Jordanian market. GAC is an emerging Chinese global brand, which is ranked among the top five selling brands in china.اضافة اعلان

The GS8 is one of the most successful and best-selling models in the SUV segment in its country of origin, as it comes with a distinctive design and an abundance of equipment that make it a strong candidate for competition with the four-wheel, drive seven-seat SUVs.

The shape of the GS8 is distinctive; a design signed by creative Chinese designer Zhang Fan, GAC’s vice president of engineering. The GS8 mimics the GAC design concept, called the “velvet glove-wrapped iron grip”. The front is grandiose, with an aggressive center grille and glossy metallic stripes, which is a common feature of all GAC frontends.

The large GAC Matrix headlights have advanced adaptive lighting, accented with LED technology and surrounding daytime running lights, while a lower LED fog light line completes the imposing façade.

The sides are strong and give the family car an inflated volume with wide wings and 19-inch rims with a distinctive design. The tailgate features red LED lights in the form of three-dimensional interlocking squares, completing the powerful statement of size.

On the inside, the GS8 cabin is distinguished by its remarkable luxury and spaciousness, large and ergonomic seats, elegant leather cladding, electrical seat control and memory, in addition to the cooling and heating features, and a roof with a huge panoramic opening along its length. 

Meanwhile, elegant touches like a wood trim and luxurious Alcantara on the door linings are impressive, while the dashboard blends the traditional analog speedometers and engine rpm, with a middle digital screen for driver information, which includes vehicle information, consumption, driving modes, etc. 

The electronic air conditioner with multiple control buttons works on the three-zone conditioning inside the large cabin. In the middle panel, the driver can control the different driving modes through a special key, and he can also select from the different modes of the intelligent four-wheel drive system. Next is an electric handbrake control button, and a wireless mobile charging feature.

The second row of seats is spacious enough for three adults, and there is an independent air conditioner control that works through the back and ceiling vents. The second-row seats can easily be folded to reach the third-row seat, which offers extremely reasonable space for two passengers, and also comes with its own upper air vents and an electric charging point.

The available load space in the back with all seven seats erected is modest, but with the third and second rows folded down, which is easily done, the GS8 provides huge luggage space.

The GS8 comes with a large center-console touch screen, with a rather dated design. It includes a smart phone mirroring app, and navigation.  It also displays the view captured by six cameras, providing a 360-degree panoramic view, while the screen provides an exclusive blind spot detection feature.

The powertrain of the GS8 includes a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine with a turbocharger that generates 200 horsepower and 320 Newton meters of torque, which is reasonable power given the hefty weight of 1,900kg. The transmission is six-speed automatic gearbox, sourced from the Japanese company Aisin. GS8 comes with an intelligent four-wheel drive, the mode of which can be controlled by the driver, with impressive fuel economy numbers, at about 6.5 liters per 100km.

Safety features in the GS8 include 10 electric bags, ABS, ASR and ESP systems, Hill ascend assistance system, blind spot system and intelligent cruise control system.

GAC GS8 is a family SUV that delivers luxury, space and safety, with reasonable performance and efficiency, at an extremely competitive value.










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