GAC unveils Emkoo production car

GAC has unveiled its new Emkoo production car at an event held in Guangzhou, China. The five door SUV aims to start a new design trend while also showing a “glimpse of the high-tech future”. Working to the design concept “Hi-Tech Industrial Aesthetics”, the exterior team leaned on the use of sharp lines and angles to create an aggressive aesthetic.

At the front, a large grille area, finished in the same colour as the bodywork, consists of backlit layered bars that form a V-shape. It is topped by the two headlamps, which are divided into several sections that light up individually and sequentially to provide what GAC describes as a theatrical visual experience. They extend from a central beam that includes the GAC logo at its heart, before slicing down and back over the front wheel arches to outline the grille and accent the shoulder lines.

Vertical air intakes sit low and wide, emphasising the width of the front end, with small bridges that link them to the main grille and bumper. Split into two sections, the top half of the bumper is given a chrome finish while the bottom is a matt black. It follows the shame of the grille and air intakes to create a strong frame for the entire front end, sitting low to the ground. Above the lights, the long bonnet is etched with lines and ridges that run from the windshield and A-pillars down to the fascia.

With its long sloping roofline and chunky rear, the Emkoo strikes a distinctive silhouette. Character lines in the door panels start low behind the front wheels before rising upwards to meet the rear lamps. The rear wheel arches flare outwards, and the matt black sills get increasingly substantial – all of which add to its bold and rugged stance. But other details hint at refinement and subtly, like the flush door handles sitting inside the body work.

The C-shaped tail lights are described by GAC as “Quantum Lightsabers”. They sit directly behind the rear wheels and follow the slant of the window panel before cutting back into the body work. An enormous bumper pushes up towards the boot door and includes a large open middle section for airflow, with two floating chrome exhaust outlets inside.

A light and breezy cabin full of high-quality materials and calming colours is a far cry from the aggressive exterior. Although it first appears to be made up of straight and clean lines, the interior uses several circular elements as a key theme, with “circle” denoting “sublimity” and “perfection” in traditional Chinese culture.

The horizontal layered IP includes a flat upper sill and flat middle panel, the latter acting as a base for the screens. They are split by a narrow dark section for hidden air vents. The large landscape central touchscreen sits astride a circular chrome unit with two air vents and a rotary control. Called the “Energy Storing Scroll”, this dial allows the front occupants to activate numerous features in the cabin and represents what GAC calls the “epitome of futuristic industrial design.”

A floating centre console stems up from the armrests to meet the central ledge on the IP. The lower third is cladded in light brown leather to match the seats, seat belts and small central areas on the door panels. It includes a cup holder and small circular raised ornament that is surrounded by a fine linear pattern, similar to the one on the grille. The same pattern is featured on the chrome section of the centre console, which folds under itself to result in two circular elements. This section also houses a second cupholder, two buttons for engine start/stop and hazard lights, and the drive mode selector. Dubbed “Crystal E-shift”, the drive mode selector includes a dazzling piece of crystal at its heart, which catches and reflects shards of light.

The plush driver and front passenger seats include Yamaha speakers on either side of the headrest to offer an immersive 360-degree audio experience. These are, again, circular in shape. Furthermore, circular chrome paddle locks take the place of traditional push-pull door handles, allowing occupants to open doors with a press of a button.

The Emkoo represents a different direction for GAC in terms of design. It is a world away from the ultra sporty Enpulse EV, the slick and streamlined ENO.146, and the ambitious MPV called Entranze. However, with its blend of new technologies and ideas, and powered by a 1.5- or 2.0-litre petrol engine, the Emkoo feels like a more significant launch.