GAC’s AION V, EMZOOM & M8 PHEV – Australia Launch 1st Impressions

GAC (pronounced G.A.C.) has officially made its splash in Australia at the White Bay Cruise Terminal — a spot that doubles as a badly signed construction site, but at least it’s waterfront. Cocktails, Moët, and red wine flowed freely, with the odd beer enthusiast quietly ignored.

After the reveal, there was the usual fancy-cocktail-music shindig in another room, but I stuck with the cars for a while before disappearing into the night.

With decades of in-house R&D and partnerships with Toyota and Honda under their belt, GAC clearly didn’t come to play.

EMZOOM – $25,590 The EMZOOM is the budget-friendly compact SUV in the GAC family. One spec, big value. This little runabout is cheerful, stylish, and surprisingly comfortable. Perfect for inner-west renters or younger buyers wanting a stylish city car without sacrificing a kidney.

The exterior is handsome enough, though adopting a certain ubiquity as more Chinese brands arrive in OZ. And there’s more: For a “new energy company” what is a petrol-only non-hybrid doing in the lineup? Please explain?

The 1.5 TG Turbo engine producing 125 kW/270 Nm — modest, but paired with a 7-speed wet-clutch DCT, you avoid the dry-clutch headaches VW and Ford owners still grumble about. Screens are snappy, gear lever has a plastic “crystal” (cheap but charming), and the interior feels solid compared to similarly priced Chinese or Korean entry-level models.

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ABOVE: GAC AIONV, EMZOOM, M8PHEV

AION V EV – $42,590 Premium / $44,590 Luxury The AION V is coming in hotter than a beachside barbie. Two trims — Premium and Luxury — packed with features to banish old EV anxieties.

Powered by GAC’s 400V electric architecture and a 75.26 kWh Magazine Battery 2.0 (flame-retardant, liquid-cooled, built tough), it offers 510 km WLTP range. Fast charging is stellar — 30–80% in 16 minutes via 180 kW DC. Motor output is 150 kW/210 Nm, quiet and efficient, perfect for school runs or a dash to Oxford Street.

Design is globally influenced — Milan, LA, Shanghai studios — so it exudes confident, muscular energy. Inside, the cabin is pure zen: waterfall-inspired minimalism, soft-touch materials, 14.6” touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, and 4mm acoustic glass to hush road noise. Rear legroom is class-leading, with seats reclining into a queen bed (for naps… or “naps”), and the boot swallows up to 978 litres — surfboards, luggage, exes, all welcome. Luxury spec even hides a 6.6 L fridge for chilled cans or frozen Gaytimes. Eight-point massage seats, heating and ventilation keep everyone comfy.

M8 PHEV – $76,590 Premium / $83,590 Luxury Then there’s the M8 PHEV, Australia’s first plug-in hybrid MPV. Think of it as a luxury lounge on wheels. Less than half the price of a Lexus luxury bus, it’s a people-mover for the “I need to carry six passengers but refuse to suffer” crowd. Stylish? Well, the grille looks like a sea creature hunting krill — more imperious than handsome. Executive realness? Absolutely. Leather, picnic tables, gadgets galore.

The regal cabin is a lovely place to sit, and is considerably better than gawking at it from outside. 39 kW DC charging to a 25.5 kWh battery gives 106 km EV-only driving, with V2L for powering appliances. Sophisticated suspension promises comfort. Handling? It’s an MPV, not a Ferrari, but it does the job for chauffeuring your rich friends or family.

All three interiors are streets ahead of Japan and Korea at the same money, there is simply no competition. The GAC chiefs made a big deal of the quality and that the company wants to be known for longevity. Currently Chinese models suffer stiff devaluation but it makes them even better 2^nd-hand propositions. Assuming the after-sales is all the company claims it to be, the legacy OEMs are in very deep strife.

While there is no doubt not all brands and models currently available will still be here in 5 years, the ones who go may not be the ones you expect to go.

Warranty & Early-Bird Bonuses GAC goes hard on warranties: Petrol cars get 7 years unlimited km, electrics 8 years unlimited km, batteries 8 years/200,000 km, and five years roadside assist. Early buyers before 31 Dec 2025 get:

• Free 22 kW EV wall charger
• $1,000 cashback
• $500 fuel or charge card

At these prices, GAC is throwing a spanner at the Japanese and Korean OEMs all while giving the middle finger to fellow Chinese carmakers. Interesting times indeed.

#GAC #AIONV #EMZOOM #M8PHEV #ElectricVehicle #PHEV #SUV #Australia #EV #CarSpecs #GayCarBoys

More GAC on GayCarBoys

• GAC EMZOOM – Chinese Price, Design & Big-Tech Luxury
• GAC Confirms Australian Launch with AION V, M8 PHEV and EMZOOM