This particular pale blue GAC Emkoo was spotted with no disguise and normal number plates.
Automakers typically go to great lengths to keep pre-launch vehicles under wraps – sometimes literally. Test mules are after all often trailered, or at the very least, heavily camouflaged when out on public roads.
GAC seems to be doing something a little bit different though, as spotted recently on the Federal Highway was one of their Emkoo SUVs with absolutely no dazzle wrapping whatsoever, and it was even bearing regular number plates!
Now if this is a calculated move by GAC to spark public curiosity and stir up some buzz ahead of the Emkoo’s local debut, it certainly is working. Though funnily enough, there has actually been no real concrete information or hype with regards to the imminent local launch of this SUV…
Originally previewed early last year during the brand debut of GAC in Malaysia, the Emkoo was previously teased as the second model the automaker plans to launch after the premiere of its GS3 Emzoom. This particular five-seat SUV is firmly in the C-segment in terms of its size, with its immediate rivals set to be the likes of Honda’s CR-V and Mazda’s CX-5.
Dimensionally, 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 meanwhile, 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 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.
The automaker has also not revealed what an estimate price range for this upcoming Emkoo yet, but a ballpark figure of around RM 140,000 – RM 170,000 should give this GAC a fighting chance to compete against its other Chinese counterparts like Jaecoo’s J7 and Haval H6 HEV.
