This new Honda CR-V rival from GAC is currently tipped to debut locally within the next 12 months.
Aside from announcing that it has since opened the order books for its GS3 Enzoom compact crossover over here, GAC also hinted at the upcoming local arrival of something slightly larger in the form of its Emkoo. An SUV that likely sees for its immediate rivals as being the Honda CR-V and Proton X70, this second model in the Chinese automaker’s Malaysian lineup is currently tipped to debut sometime within the year.
Starting with the boring stuff of dimensions first, the Emkoo comes in at 4,680 mm long, 1,901 mm wide and 1,670 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm. This means for the latest sixth-generation Honda CR-V to be 11 mm longer but 35 mm narrower than the GAC, while the Proton X70 is a full 161 mm shorter than it.
As for how it looks on the outside, the front of the Emkoo has more than a hint of modern Renault to it with a borderless V-shape grille flanked by what GAC calls a pair of ‘Eyes of Revelation’ LED headlights. Its sharply-creased side profile meanwhile nets flush-fitting door handles, with its rear completed by some Kia Niro-esque vertical boomerang-shaped LED taillights and dual exhaust tips integrated on either side of its chunky black plastic bumper.
Moving along inside on the other hand, GAC is touting for the Emkoo to feature a ‘truly Digital Interior that elevates the driving experience’. This however apparently just translates to a twin-screen display within its leather-lined cabin, which is complemented by a wireless charger and a sporty multi-function steering wheel.
GAC has yet to officially announce what will be making an appearance under the bonnet of the Emkoo in Malaysia, but this SUV is is available with a choice of 1.5 litre and 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engines, with the latter larger capacity available in hybrid form too. Incidentally, the smaller 1.5-litre is the same unit as to be found in its smaller Enzoom sibling locally, which as previously reported will be outputting 177 PS and 270 Nm of torque to its front wheels only via a 7-speed (wet) dual-clutch transmission.
During the preview of this new SUV, Warisan TC Holdings Chief Executive Officer, Tan Keng Meng stated, “GAC EMKOO is another exhilarating addition to our lineup, representing the next phase of our commitment to delivering diverse and high-quality vehicles to meet the evolving needs of Malaysian consumers. Stay tuned for more details about this avant-garde vehicle as we approach the launch date.”
