Astara-distributed Chinese brand GAC may be starting 2025 with not one, but two HEV variants of existing nameplates. Revealed in documents filed with the Department of Energy, GAC is close to launching the Empow Hybrid and the GS8 Hybrid for the local market.
Based on documents filed with Philippine regulatory bodies, the Empow Hybrid will share the same powertrain as the Emkoo Hybrid. This means packing the 140 horsepower, 180 Nm 2.0-liter ATK engine with an electric motor that generates 182 horsepower and 300 Nm. All in all, it’ll make a combined 238 horsepower (175 kW) making it even more powerful than its chief rival, the recently launched Civic RS e:HEV. Power aside, GAC promises that’ll do up to 23 km/L enough to go past 900 kilometers thanks to a 40-liter tank.
Based on regulatory filings, GAC Motor Philippines will bring in two variants with the “Mid” model getting 17-inch alloys, a power sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, leather seats, ambient lighting, and a 6-speaker system. Meanwhile, the “Top” variant has larger 18-inch wheels, memory seats for the driver, dual zone climate control, a full set of ADAS, and a 360-degree camera.
Meanwhile, the GS8 Hybrid will become the 7-seater SUV’s top variant. Like its combustion engine variant, it’ll have a 2.0-liter turbocharged motor with 190 horsepower and 320 Nm, but mated to Toyota’s Hybrid System (THS). The application of THS here supplements the outputs with a 54-horsepower rear electric motor for all-wheel drive capability.
Features of the GS8 Hybrid echo the GS8 AWD with 20-inch alloy wheels, a full digital gauge cluster, a 14.6-inch HD central touchscreen, tri-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. It will also sport a full set of ADAS.
While GAC Motor Philippine hasn’t given any official confirmation yet, they have already announced an event for January 2025. If that’s the case, expect them to join Philippine showrooms as early as then. Now, as to the price, if GAC were to echo their move with the Emkoo Hybrid, expect the Empow Hybrid to be priced at around P 1.5-million, while the GS8 Hybrid will be pegged at P 2.9-million.
Best choice ever, toyota hybrid system proven reliable ,durable and fuel efficient for more than 2 decades already๐๐๐
ReplyDeleteDoes that mean GAC uses the same toyota parts, as in literally shared and interchangeable with other toyota models? Or is this another one of those "geely uses the same volvo technology" type of BS?
ReplyDeleteNothing? Well I guess this shared toyota technology is just another marketing BS.
DeleteTrue the motor system has run for decades but have not evolved further which is now frowned upon technology, passe. There are more updated systems with and more efficient system available. They forgot to fix that’s ain’t broken.
ReplyDeleteAt least toyota upgrading to Lithium battery๐ ๐ ๐ . in a year or two toyota could make mainstream hydrogen cars and cars with solid state battery.
DeleteToyota passed this old tech to GAC. And Toyota is using BYD dmi to their new models. Dmi is obviously the winner
ReplyDeleteToyota passed this old tech to GAC. New Toyotas are using BYD DMi. DMi is the future.
ReplyDeleteDM i tech not good for long distance travel if a car has low quality byd ICE engine. Solid state battery and hydrogen power vehicles the future.
ReplyDeleteSays the "expert wannabe"
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