The GS8 is a mid-size all-wheel drive crossover topping the Trumpchi all-road range of Chinese automaker GAC, targeting a wide variety of target audiences, from youth to families and adults ...
For the first time (in the form of a prototype) this car appeared before an international audience in April 2016 - at the international automobile exhibition in Beijing, and already at the end of July it was demonstrated “in serial form”. At home, the five-door car went on sale in October of the same year ...
Exactly three years later, the crossover underwent a planned update, as a result of which it was slightly transformed externally (due to modified bumpers), noticeably "refreshed" inside (becoming more technologically advanced), and also significantly increased in power (the potential of the motor increased to 252 hp and 390 Nm) ... and a few months later - in December 2019 - it reached the Russian market, albeit a little in a strange "semi-pre-reform" form (with a new exterior and pre-styling interior).
Exterior
With its appearance, the GAC Trumpchi GS8 is pleasantly impressive - it is a beautiful, monumental and spectacular car, made according to American canons, but at the same time not devoid of a certain Asian eccentricity.
Despite the fact that outwardly in some details this SUV evokes associations with models of famous brands, on the whole it looks original, especially from the front view - it is energized by faceted headlights with a quartet of LED sections in each, a chrome "shield" of the radiator grille and a massive bumper.
In profile, the five-door immediately declares its flagship status, demonstrating truly impressive proportions with huge "cutouts" of wheel arches, expressive sidewalls and an almost flat sill line, which rises slightly upward towards the stern.
Well, the powerful rear with a large trunk lid, stylish lights and a neat bumper successfully completes the solid look of the SUV.
Dimensions and weight
The overall dimensions of the GAC Trumpchi GS8 classify it as a mid-size SUV: 4810 mm in length, 1910 mm in width and 1770 mm in height. The five-door has a 2800 mm gap between the pairs of wheels, and its ground clearance is 200 mm.
In the "stowed" form, the car weighs from 1840 to 1990 kg, depending on the configuration.
Interior
The interior of the "Chinese" continues the trend set by the exterior - although it is "somewhat archaic", it looks attractive, noble and rich. There is complete order here both with the level of workmanship and with the quality of finishing materials (genuine leather, high-quality plastics, wood-like inserts).
A solid four-spoke steering wheel, a convenient "toolbox" with two dials and a large on-board computer screen, a presentable center console with a 10-inch "TV" and audio system and microclimate units - the "apartments" of the crossover simply do not cause any complaints.
The GAC Trumpchi GS8 salon is a seven-seater, but only teenagers or slender adults will be able to sit more or less comfortably in the "gallery". The front seats of the off-road vehicle are distinguished by a "relaxed" profile with widely spaced side bolsters and a large set of adjustments, and the second row boasts a welcoming sofa shape and a solid supply of free space.
With a seven-seater layout, the SUV's trunk is small (although its exact volume is not reported), however, the second and third row seats fold flush with the floor and increase the capacity to almost 2000 liters (the intermediate figure “without the third row” is 860 liters).
A full-size spare tire is suspended under the bottom, and a set of tools is stowed underground.
Specifications
For the Trumpchi GS8 crossover, a single unit is offered - a gasoline inline four with a working volume of 2.0 liters (1991 cubic centimeter) with direct fuel injection, a turbocharger, 16-valve timing and variable valve timing technology. In the specification for the Russian market, it produces 190 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 300 Nm of available torque at 1750-4000 rpm.
The engine is standardly mated with a 6-speed "automatic" Aisin, which has a manual mode with a gear change using paddle shifters and driving front wheels, but for a surcharge, an all-wheel drive i-4WD transmission with permanent drive to the front wheels and multi-disc clutch BorgWarner, transferring up to 50% of traction to the wheels of the rear axle.
From standstill to 100 km / h, the crossover accelerates in 9.4 seconds, and its maximum capabilities do not exceed 180 km / h. In combined conditions, the car consumes from 9.0 to 9.2 liters of fuel (AI-92) for every "hundred" of run, depending on the version.
Design features
At the heart of the GAC Trumpchi GS8 is a modular platform called CPMA (Cross Platform Modular Architecture), an iteration of the architecture that was once used as the base for the Alfa Romeo 166.
The front part of the car body rests on an independent suspension with MacPherson struts, and the rear - on a multi-link system ("in a circle" - with anti-roll bars).
The crossover has in its arsenal disc brakes on both axles (front - ventilated) with ABS, EBD and other modern "bells and whistles", as well as rack and pinion steering with an adaptive electric amplifier.
Options and prices
In the Russian market, the 2020 GAC GS8 is offered in three trim levels to choose from - GE, GL and GT.
- The car in the basic configuration is equipped exclusively with a front-wheel drive transmission and costs at least 1,898,000 rubles. The list of its equipment includes: six airbags, three-zone climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated, ventilated and electric front seats, front and rear parking sensors, a sunroof, xenon headlights, a media center with a 10-inch screen, a rear-view camera , cruise control, heated steering wheel and windshield, keyless entry and engine start, ABS, ESP and much more.
- For the performance of GL, you will have to pay from 2,198,000 rubles, and if you want an all-wheel drive version, then already from 2,298,000 rubles. Signs of such an SUV are: "leather" interior trim, 19-inch wheels, all-LED optics, all-round cameras, panoramic roof, wireless smartphone charging and a number of other options.
- "Top-end" equipment is available only with all-wheel drive, and they ask for it at least 2,498,000 rubles. The special GT version includes: adaptive cruise control, knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, lane tracking and collision warning systems, interior air purification technology and the ability to change the color of the interior lighting.
