There’s another three-letter acronym to remember in the Australian new-car market: GAC.
The automaker hails from – where else? – China, and it’s launching here in November with three models at first.
GAC Australia has now announced specification details for the first of these, the mid-size Aion V electric SUV. It says it’ll announce pricing and warranty information in November.
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The Aion V will be offered here in Premium and Luxury trim levels, both of which feature a 150kW/210Nm front-mounted electric motor powered by a 75.26kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.
There’s a lot of standard kit even in the base Premium, including a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, and 8.8-inch digital instrument and 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment displays.
Unusually, the top-spec Luxury includes a 6.6L refrigerator that can hold up to 12 cans. GAC says it can maintain a steady temperature of 4°C while using 0.5kWh of electricity over 24 hours, and its temperature can be adjusted from -15°C to 50°C.
The Aion V measures 4605mm long, 1854mm wide and 1686mm tall on a 2775mm wheelbase, which makes it 5mm longer, 1mm wider and 1mm taller than a Toyota RAV4 on an 85mm longer wheelbase.
GAC will sell vehicles through a dealer network consisting of 30 locations at first, and aims to be a top-10 player in our market, by which point it’ll have at least eight models.
In addition to the Aion V, GAC will launch with the petrol-powered Emzoom small SUV and the plug-in hybrid M8 people mover. Future products from the brand will include a dual-cab ute, due in 2027.
Parent company Guangzhou Automobile Group produces more than two million vehicles annually in China and Thailand.
It sells vehicles under the GAC brand in export markets, though in China it markets separate GAC Trumpchi (mass-market vehicles), Hyptec (premium electric vehicles) and Aion (EV) brands.
Drivetrains and Efficiency
All GAC Aion Vs feature a 400V electrical architecture, a heat pump, and vehicle-to-load capability.
GAC doesn’t quote a DC fast-charge rate, but says the vehicle can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 24 minutes.
| Specifications | GAC Aion V |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single electric motor |
| Battery capacity | 75.26kWh |
| Battery chemistry | Lithium iron phosphate |
| Power | 150kW |
| Torque | 210Nm |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Energy consumption (claimed) | 16.7kWh/100km (WLTP) |
| Claimed range | 510km (WLTP) |
| Max AC charge rate | 11kW |
Dimensions
| Dimensions | GAC Aion V |
|---|---|
| Length | 4605mm |
| Width | 1854mm |
| Height | 1686mm |
| Wheelbase | 2775mm |
| Cargo capacity | 427L (rear seats up) 978L (rear seats folded) |
| Ground clearance | 166mm |
Servicing and Warranty
GAC Australia will announce servicing and warranty details in November.
Safety
The GAC Aion V has yet to be tested by ANCAP, though it received a five-star rating in Euro NCAP testing this year.
Euro NCAP awarded it a score of 88 per cent for adult occupant protection, 85 per cent for child occupant protection, 79 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 78 per cent for safety assist.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Child presence detection
- Driver monitoring system
- Integrated Cruise Assistance
- Lane-keep assist
- Emergency lane-keep assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Safe exit warning
- Surround-view camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Front, front-centre, front-side and curtain airbags
Standard Equipment
There are two members of the GAC Aion V lineup.
The Premium comes standard with the following equipment:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Tyre repair kit
- Automatic LED headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- Active grille shutters
- Panoramic sunroof with power sunshade
- Hands-free power tailgate
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors with memory
- Hill descent control
- 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster
- 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- DAB digital radio
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite navigation
- In-car wi-fi
- Mobile phone remote vehicle control
- 9-speaker sound system
- Heated, leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
- 4-way adjustable steering column
- PVC upholstery
- 6-way power driver’s seat with memory
- 4-way power passenger seat with memory
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Reclining second-row seats
- 60:40 split/fold rear seats
- Dual-zone climate control
- One-touch up/down power windows
- Sun visors with vanity mirrors, lights
- ‘Intelligent’ ambient light
- 2 x USB-A outlets (1 x front, 1 x rear)
- 1 x USB-C outlet (front)
The Luxury adds:
- PVC/leather upholstery
- Eight-point massage for front seats
- 6.6L refrigerator
- Second-row tray table
- Sun visors with larger vanity mirror, light
A space-saver spare is optional.