CHINA’s best automaker, GAC Motor, unveiled its first seven-seat SUV, the GS8, at this year’s Beijing Auto Show on April 25. As a premium C-class vehicle, the GS8 appears at the exhibition together with the GA8, the recently launched C-class high-end business sedan, and the GM8, the i-lounge concept car released at the 2015 Guangzhou Auto Show.
The GS8 is powered by GAC Motor’s second-generation Ti-POWER320T engine which features a low-inertia E-Turbo turbocharger, GCCS combustion control that increases power by 22 percent while lowering gas consumption by 15 percent, and a DCV VT double-span variable valve timing.
The new SUV is also equipped with i-4WD, the on-demand four-wheel drive system manufactured by global auto parts supplier Borg-Warner Automotive.
Drivers can easily switch between different gear ranges – 2WD/AUTO/4WD LOCK – via a center console to help with performance over rough terrains and improve safety at high speed and on rainy or snowy days, while remaining more fuel-efficient compared with 4WD.
Both the exterior and interior design of the GS8 demonstrate GAC’s long-held conviction for auto making – “Brave in Exploitation.” The design is led by world-famous, award-winning designer Zhang Fan who previously worked with Mercedes-Benz. Inspired by Chinese and western culture, he and his team make the new SUV a perfect representative of both reserve and strength.
With its square front face and straight bodyline, the impressive GS8 inherits GAC Motor’s iconic grille design – the “Flying Dynamics” inspired by grand, sculptural light and shadow. Perfectly blended with the grille area are the matrix-structured headlights, each comprised of four LED light modules, while the U-shaped taillights share the same geometric silhouette for a deep, multi-layered lighting effect.
As for the interior, the simple and elegant arrangement and quality materials jointly shape the center console and door panel in a fine and luxury style. The two areas are linked through camphorwood-grained boards and gold metallic decorative lines that provide an overall reddish-brown and beige color scheme and a warm and natural atmosphere that is both comfortable and safe.
“The GS8, released right after our other two high-end models, the GA8 and GM8, illustrates the strong R&D capability and quality assurance system of GAC Motor in the new era of the Ti-POWER engine,” said Wu Song, General Manager of GAC Motor.
The unveiling of the GS8 in Beijing also welcomed the visit of Rod Alberts, director of the North American International Auto Show and executive director of Detroit Auto Dealers Association. “The GS8 is superior in quality – I cannot see any differences between it and cars made in the US. I hope GAC Motor can soon sell their products in the US. I can’t wait for a drive,” said Alberts.
Targeting the mid and high-end markets, GAC Motor has overturned the stereotypical images of Chinese car brands with strong advantages in quality, performance, design and the ability to deliver continuous technological innovations.
Over the past eight years, GAC Motor has created the GAC production system (GPS) to meet fast changing market demands and established international supply chain systems in Europe, America, Japan and South Korea. The assembly line allows vehicle production to be completed in 57 seconds.
The company’s Cross Platform Modular Architecture (CPMA) strategy has streamlined the period of complete vehicle development from 36-48 months to 25-28 months and the overall sharing rate of CPMA has reached nearly 80 percent.
