More than 18 months after the model was first previewed in Malaysia, WTC Automotif has finally opened the order books for the GAC Emkoo here on our shores. The C-segment SUV will be offered in two variants here in Malaysia, with estimated prices starting from RM120,000 for the “Premium”, moving up to RM130,000 for the “Premium Pro”.
The GAC Emkoo will be the Chinese marque’s second locally assembled model here, with complete knock down (CKD) assembly works being carried out at Tan Chong Motor’s Segambut plant, which begun late June. The company says the first batch of customer deliveries is expected to begin by the end of September 2025, “or possibly even sooner”.
The GAC Emkoo is a C-segment SUV, measuring in at 4,680 mm long, 1,901 mm wide, and 1,670 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm making it rather significantly larger than the Proton X70, and more in line with the Honda CR-V, size wise.
Like its younger sibling, the GS3 Emzoom, GAC’s C-segment entry here also sports a very distinctive design on the outside, fully embracing the whole fighting robot theme with… interesting names for its styling touches, including the “Eyes of Revelation” headlights, “Illuminant” V-shaped grille, and the “Quantum Lightsabers” taillights. Both variants come with 19-inch wheels as standard.
In stark contrast to its exterior, though, the design of cabin is much more conventional. The dashboard of the Emkoo features a floating style 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment display, paired to a digital gauge cluster measuring 7-inches for the Premium variant, and 10.25-inch for the Premium Pro.
Other interior styling touches include the tubular trim element that houses the unique air vents, a bejewelled gear shift lever, a large 50W wireless phone charging tray connected to the single cupholder beneath, and a multi-colour ambient lighting system, if you opted for the Pro variant.
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The interior is where most of the differences between the two variants are found, with the more expensive option gaining an additional head-up display, a 12-way powered driver seat with memory and ventilation functions (six-way, no memory on the Premium variant), and four-way powered front passenger seat with ventilation.
Seats are wrapped in leatherette upholstery, but the Premium Pro also gains an air ioniser function with air quality monitor, extra heating, curb view, and memory function for the powered wing mirrors, a hands-free powered tailgate (available as option for the Premium), and a panoramic sunroof with electric sunshades.
The 1.5-litre TGDi turbocharged line-four engine is shared across both variants, making 177 hp and 270 Nm of torque. Like its younger sibling, the engine is also paired to a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. While no performance figures were provided, GAC does say that the Emkoo boasts a fuel consumption rating of 6.6L/100 km (NEDC).
Both variants also share the same safety kit, which includes six airbags, a “540-degree” surround view monitor with transparent chassis view, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and the advanced driver assistance kit that includes SAE Level-2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The Premium Pro variant however adds on a full automatic parking assist system.
Again, pricing for the GAC Emkoo in Malaysia starts from an estimated RM120,000 for the Premium variant, and approximately RM130,000 for the Premium Pro. It’s backed by a standard five-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty, along with a seven-year/180,000 km engine and powertrain warranty.
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