GAC is fast-becoming a household name in the local automotive scene these days. Thanks much to the GAC Emzoom and Empow, with the former driving much of the car brand’s sales because of its impeccable design and technology tagged at such a ridiculously affordable price point.
Lately, there’s another vehicle from GAC that’s piquing the interest of the local motoring public. This is primarily because it fits the needs of families, barkadas or any other group of people needing practically an amazing transportation from point A to B.
The new GAC M6 Pro fits this bill. And just recently this writer was able to know why it’s making such a buzz.
In a short media drive from GAC Manila Bay in Pasay City to various places around Pampanga and back, a contingent of motoring scribes, including this writer, was able to take this people carrier for a spin. With four people in each of the four vehicles we brought, we were able to experience the vehicle behind its wheel, as a front passenger, on the second row’s captain seats and on the third row.
The vehicle offers a 2-2-3 seating configuration, which, in turn, provides more comfortable seating space. The driver seat has motorized six-way seat adjustment, while the front passenger seat and second row have four-way manual adjustment.
We first took the vehicle to R33 Drift Track in San Simon Pampanga. While going there, I first had the chance to experience the M6 Pro on its third row bench seat. I was comfortably snuggled right in there enjoying the premium leathers for practically about over an hour’s drive. Since we were right smack in the middle of rush hour traffic, we practically moved at a snail’s pace. But because of ample legroom, right ventilation and proper materials used for the bench seat, I was snoozing all the way through. The sun roof was add-on as it provided a panoramic view of the city skyline.
As soon as we arrived at the R33 Drift Track in Pampanga, the driving activities immediately started. Since the venue is practically a big playground, organizers were able to set up a makeshift track around its sprawling pavements. There, we were able to personally experience the vehicle in various scenarios, from acceleration, braking and parking. It was also a way to showcase the many other safety features it offered.
Here, for me, the vehicle passed with flying colors as it behaved exceptionally well in the various sectors of the makeshift track.
Next, we headed to lunch in Piña Restaurant located in the rural suburbs of Barangay Sapang Bato in Pampanga, a jewel for food and dining in this part of the province. Going there, it was probably a good 45-minute drive. Hence, another chance to experience the M6 Pro with the various comfort and seating configurations it offered.
After lunch, it was then my turn to drive. From the helm, everything was exquisite–from the leather steering wheel, its controls, to the dashboard design (which was light in the eyes), which also included strips of leather and well-designed garnish accents to its seven-inch LCD instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch multi-functional touchscreen infotainment system and the plush ‘rectangularish’ gear handle. In short, driving ergonomics was top-notch.
For its performance, I had the chance to shift from one driving mode to another– from ‘Eco’, ‘Comfort,’ and to ‘Sport.’ Handling was superb, while power was above par.
With my colleagues practically on the “heavy side,” going up steep slopes you could feel the engine pushing more than it had to. On the curves, however, steering was crisp while on the flat beds and highways, overtaking vehicles was such a cinch. Braking on actual roads may be soft. But it was just right for this kind of vehicle.
Being the last car of the four-vehicle convoy of the M6 Pro, I was able to maneuver well in and out of traffic going back to Manila while keeping it ‘tight-knit’ with the group.
The 1.5-liter turbo gasoline engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch tranny with 174 horsepower and 270 Newton-meters of torque is almost at par with its closest rival, the Toyota Innova.
But with a price tag of a tad over P1.6M for its top-tier, it’s about P200,000 cheaper than the latter. Yet, despite this, it still has more to offer compared to its rival in terms of creature comforts and other amenities–hence, the buzz.
