Distributor of GAC vehicles in Malaysia, WTC Automotif (WTCA) has announced that local assembly of the GAC Emkoo has started at the Segambut assembly plant, ahead of its planned market introduction in the third quarter of this year.
This makes the Emkoo the second GAC model to be locally assembled at the facility, after the B-segment Emzoom GS3 that was launched in Malaysia in April 2024.
Previously sighted on local roads in March this year, the Emkoo is a five-seater C-segment SUV that measures 4,680 mm long, 1,901 mm wide and 1,670 mm tall with a 2,750 mm wheelbase, which will compete with the likes of the Honda CR-V and the Proton X70.
The Emkoo shares its Global Platform Modular Architecture (GPMA) with the GS3 Emzoom, and overseas the C-segment SUV is offered with a choice of 1.5 litre and 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engines, as well as a 2.0 litre hybrid powertrain.
The 1.5L petrol option is the likely choice, and this outputs 177 PS at 5,500 rpm and 270 Nm of torque between 1,400 and 4,500 rpm, driving the front wheels through a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.
Inside, the cabin of the Emkoo previewed in Malaysia was specified a seven-inch digital instrument display and a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, the latter packing Apple CarPlay, though this preview specification is not representative of what’s official for Malaysia.
In China, the Emkoo can be optioned with larger displays – a 10.25-inch instrument display and a 14.6-inch touchscreen – as well as a 12-speaker Yamaha sound system.
“We are proud to advance to the next chapter of our CKD journey with the launch of Emkoo mass production. This milestone highlights our capability to meet global quality standards while assembling vehicles locally. The Emkoo reflects our joint commitment to delivering technologically advanced and design-forward vehicles to Malaysian consumers in a timely and efficient manner,” said WTC Automotif CEO Tan Keng Meng.
GALLERY: GAC Emkoo previewed in Malaysia
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