In Chinese auto market, MPVs have been in two states. One is a high-end commercial vehicle represented by Buick GL8 and Honda Odyssey, which is the authentic MPV, the market demand is not small, Buick GL8 is basically the overlord, and then Mercedes-Benz business models are the mainstream in luxury MPV market.
The other is the low-end MPV model represented by SAIC-GM-Wuling-Baojun. The low-end MPV is an alternative to the Chinese auto market, the low-end MPV are the ones upgraded from commercial vans which have been hot-selling in the Chinese market for many years. Of course, with the maturity of China’s automobile consumer market and the consumption upgrade, in the past 2018, the market has rapidly shrunk in various low-end MPV models represented by Wuling.
Many models that have sold tens of thousands of monthly sales, such as Changan, Dongfeng-SOKON, or BAIC-HYOSOW, but they are rare in the Chinese market now. The low-end MPVs seem to have only Wuling Baojun, sales are longer as hot as in the past few years.
However, few MPV models are in price range of 100,000 -150,000 yuan in current China market, therefore, the products that entered this market range in advance have gained unexpected living space. BYD Song MAX is a successful example.
GAC has already tasted the sweetness on the MPV model. It is obviously very sensitive to the changes in the MPV market. After the launch of Trumpchi GM8 – a competitive product to Buick GL8, the Trumpchi GM6 which is positioned below GM8 is launched in 2019, the price range is directly pulled to 109,800 -159,800 yuan (~US$15,945 – US$23,206).
In terms of appearance, Trumpchi GM6 uses family’s “Flying Dynamics” design style, the interior of grille is complemented by horizontal chrome trim strips, which stretches the lateral visual effect of the front end. The headlights are very elegant and well integrated with body lines. The headlights has LED light source, the daytime running lights are LED strip style.
On the side of the car body, Trumpchi GM6 adopts the current popular floating roof design. Trumpchi GM6 adopts the traditional side-opening door design which is different from the sliding door on Trumpchi GM8, the positioning of GM6 is family consumers.
From the rear end, the design of Trumpchi GM6 is simple and clear, the overall lines are square. The bar-style taillights provide a wider lateral effect while also increasing recognition. Body size of Trumpchi GM6 are 4,780/1,860/1,730 (1,765) mm and the wheelbase is 2,810 mm. It offers 6-seater or 7-seater layouts.
Looking at the appearance alone is really shocking. GAC-Trumpchi has made rapid progress in the past few years, and its performance in product strength is indeed remarkable. Anyway, after opening the door, I felt a little surprised. I don’t know if I expect too high, as I still have a good impression of GM8 before, after sitting in the cockpit of GM6, I feeling a bit disappointed.
Frankly speaking, the interior design is not ugly, including the gear-lever position, seems directly ripoff from Buick or Japanese products. However, the material of the entire interior feels very low-end, I don’t know if it is a color match or a lighting problem in the exhibition hall, it feels like a Chinese low-end van.
In terms of configuration, Trumpchi GM6 comes standard with LED taillights, multi-function steering wheel, tire pressure monitoring system and four-door power window, while the high trim level models are also equipped with matrix LED headlights, 17-inch wheels, panoramic sunroof, full LCD instrument / central control screen, power seat, 360-degree panoramic image and 8 speakers.
In terms of power, GAC Trumpchi GM6 is powered by a 1.5T engine with maximum power of 166 hp (124 kW) and peak torque of 265 Nm, meeting CN-6 emission standards. Transmission is matched to a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox.
