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China's GAC bringing GS4 high-performance CUV, PHEVs to Detroit

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GAC Group is making its return to the Detroit Auto Show this month after taking last year off. The Chinese brand has some big ambitions for the Motor City event, too, including the world debut of its GS4 crossover.

GAC promises the GS4 to be a "high-performance compact sport-utility vehicle" in its announcement, but don't expect neck-snapping acceleration from the CUV. The engine options amount to either a 1.3- or 1.5-liter turbocharged mills; a Porsche Macan competitor this is not.

From the company's single teaser sketch, the GS4 seems to borrow just a little from the Land Rover Evoque school of design. Up front there's a relatively narrow grille that connect to headlights that wraparound the front fenders. The roofline definitely looks to have a coupe-life curve at the rear, as well. In its announcement, the GAC humorously describes, "the car hood of GS4 is designed like a flying machine while the body feels like a light sculpture."

In addition to the CUV, GAC is also bringing two concepts to Detroit. The Witstar is a super-efficient model that the company claims can get the equivalent of about 118 miles per gallon. The other is the GA6 GT, and both purportedly use range-extended powertrains.

GAC's other motive to showing up in Detroit is to better position its brand on the world stage. The company already sells some vehicles outside of China in parts of the Middle East and Asia. Now, it has ambitions to spread to North America and Europe, too. Read the automaker's full announcement for the GS4's Motown debuts below.
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GAC Motor to Unveil Brand New GS4 in Detroit, Quickening Globalization Drive

GUANGZHOU, China, Dec. 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

GAC Group, China's leading automaker, plans to launch the GAC Motor GS4, a high-performance compact sport-utility vehicle, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, a move to reinforce its globalization drive.

The global premier of the GS4 at one of the world's largest auto shows that starts on January 12, 2015 reflects GAC Motor's confidence in joining the fray with global auto giants buoyed by its strengthened development capabilities and improved manufacturing techniques.

"The debut of GS4 at the North American International Auto Show will mark a milestone in GAC Motor's history because it shows that our products have met the international standards," said Wu Song, general manager of GAC Motor, a subsidiary of GAC that focuses on passenger cars. "The high-performance SUV is indeed a representative of Chinese brand vehicles which are able to compete in the global market."

GAC Motor designed GS4 with meticulous care, envisioning producing a SUV that could not only adapt to various traffic conditions such as bumpy roads with its great passing ability, but also make drivers and passengers feel comfortable.

The SUV, equipped with either a 1.3- or a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, acts as a brand new symbol of GAC Motor's advanced technologies and excellent design capabilities.

The car hood of GS4 is designed like a flying machine while the body feels like a light sculpture. Its double line of decorative frames adds a new dimension into the notion of "sporty." GAC Motor also did its utmost to ensure GS4's high-tech interiors would give drivers and passengers a comfortable and stress-free ride.

GAC Motor, one of China's largest automakers, rose into global prominence in recent years as it successfully expanded into overseas markets.

GAC Motor came onto the global stage when its starring role in the United State blockbuster movie Transformers 4 – Age of Extinction catapulted the brand into international limelight.

GAC Motor aims at consolidating its foothold in the global market as it is adamant in internationalizing the businesses amid China's go-outbound campaign.

It is set to take advantage of the North American International Auto Show to display its latest technology and models that result from its enterprising spirit and constant innovations.

"As we exhibit our new models and the latest technology at the Detroit auto show, we hope to impress industry officials and foreign visitors not only on our cars, but also our credo," said Wu. "Our credo is make the best cars for people under the most strict standards.

GAC Motor's own brands have already been endorsed by customers in the Middle Eastern and South Asian market and the carmaker is now planning a foray into the North American and European markets.

It will be the second time that GAC Motor participates in the high-profile North American auto show following its debut in 2013.

GAC Motor is highly expected to draw rave reviews during the show as it is set to launch WITSTAR and GA6 GT concept cars, aside from GS4.

The cars, powered by range-extended power-train system, will become a source of China's national pride on the Detroit show as high hopes are pinned on them to eventually take on global auto giants.

WITSTAR, an energy-efficient car designed by GAC, provides a snapshot of the Chinese carmaker's efforts to develop alternative energy cars. It can achieve automatic driving and has a range of more than 600 kilometers with fuel consumption of less than 2 liters per 100 km.

GAC Motor pledges to deepen its innovations on alternative energy cars as a way to protect the environment and save energy.

It hopes to seek tie-up and cooperation with international counterparts at the Detroit auto show to fine-tune its production and research capabilities to make better energy-efficient cars in the future.

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