Both GAC's GS3 Emzoom and Emkoo have been made resoundingly cheaper. Image: GAC
Its South African operations launched at the beginning of last year, GAC Motor importer, Salvador Caetano Auto, has announced sizable price cuts across the GS3 Emzoom and Emkoo ranges as a result of “prevailing market conditions”.
A line-up set to be joined later this year by electric sub-brand Aion’s simply titled Y crossover, the reductions range from R50 000 to R60 000 for the GS3 Emzoom, and between R80 000 and R100 000 for the Emkoo without any changes to specification or powertrain.
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“This price drop for the Emzoom and Emkoo is a testament to our belief that consumers deserve to benefit directly from favourable forex movements,” GAC Motor South Africa Managing Director, Leslie Ramsoomar, said in a statement.
“This is a win for everyone – from our valued customers to our partners, who will see the fruits of our strategic investments in the market.”
Commencing the GAC range, the GS3 Emzoom still spans three derivatives; Comfort, Executive and R-Style, with all deriving motivation from an in-house developed 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine developing 130kW/270Nm.
As with the majority of other Chinese vehicles, the amount of twist gets routed to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
In terms of specification, the Comfort comes standard with:
Building on the Comfort, the Executive swaps the 3.5-inch display for a full seven-inch digital instrument cluster, the synthetic leather upholstery for real hide and the cruise control for Adaptive Cruise Control.
Completing its spec sheet is;
Along with its sportier bumpers, door sills and model denoting decals, the R-Style’s additions to the Executive comprise rain sense wipers, and electric tailgate, panoramic sunroof, rear passenger curtain airbags, a wireless smartphone charger and ambient lightning.
Auto High Beam Assist LED headlights, type-C USB ports, Hill Descent Control and a 360-degree surround-view camera system rounds the R-Style off.
Offering between 341-litres to 1 271-litres of boot space, all GS3 Emzoom models are fitted with a drive mode selector incorporating three settings; Eco, Comfort and Sport.
Showcased weeks after the Emzoom’s reveal, the Emkoo utilises the same drivetrain, but in a line-up spanning two models; Executive and Executive Plus, with boot space rated at 420-litres without the rear seats lowered.
Spec-wise, both come standard with type-A and type-C USB ports, a seven-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.1-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay only, push-button start and keyless entry, plus:
Taking care of safety are six airbags, Automatic Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Keep Assist and a 360-degree surround-view camera system.
While both also receive the drive mode selector with the same settings as the GS3 Emzoom, the flagship Emkoo Executive Plus gains an electric tailgate, a wireless smartphone charger, heated and ventilated front seats, ambient lighting and Park Assist.
Also standard is Park Assist, Hill Descent Control, Lane Change Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Automatic Braking, and 19-inch alloy wheels in place of the Executive’s 18-inches.
Included with each model’s price tag is a five-year/150 000 km warranty as well as a five-year/100 000 km service plan.
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