Track tested: GAC M6 Pro

GAC Motor Philippines showcased just exactly what the M6 Pro can do by putting the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) through its paces at the R33 Drift Track in San Simon, Pampanga.

Sure, a family carrier isn’t exactly what you first picture when you hear the term “drift track,” but the seven-seater proved to be capable enough to tackle the driving tests presented to challenge and highlight the potential of the Chinese-made vehicle.

Here are some of the activities that Zigwheels Philippines got to experience behind the wheel.

Braking in the turn, moose test

Slamming on the brakes while entering a turn — especially with a 4,793-millimeter minivan — could cause one to spin out of place. But, GAC Motor Philippines showed members of the motoring media that it has the right formula to keep families safe, should the untoward happen and require one to hit hard on the brakes during a turn.

Likewise, organizers of the media drive (Ramirez and Cutter, Incorporated) simulated a moose test, wherein we had to swerve to avoid an obstacle. The exercise proved that the GAC M6 Pro’s suite of passive and active safety technologies (electronic stability program, electronic brake-force distribution) can help in these quick reflex maneuvers.

Slalom

Handling proved to be a breeze as the minivan was put through a slalom test.

The MacPherson struts and torsion beam setup of the GAC M6 Pro helped us fly through the set of cones that we had to pass through. The seats also had decent bolstering that there was still some level of comfort despite the swaying.

Traction test

Another test required us to hit the brakes and bring the MPV to a halt while the two left wheels struggled to find traction on a slippery strip of tarpaulin. After stopping to a standstill, we then had to step on the accelerator while the two wheels were still trapped on the soapy tarp.

While deceleration felt jittery, it meant that one could bring the GAC M6 Pro to a stop should it happen to encounter a similar snag. On the other hand, acceleration felt fine enough and required the vehicle only a short time to find its bearing.

Precision parking

We also got to try out the 360-degree view camera of the GAC M6 Pro in a parking test. While I still couldn’t help to take a peek at the mirrors and windows, knowing that the infotainment screen would feed me displays of certain blind spots added another layer of confidence.

Checking the cameras could be helpful not only when parking curbside but also when passing through tight roads, prevalent in the metro.

GAC M6 Pro on the road

Leaving the track, I was more sure that the GAC M6 Pro would make for an ideal choice for car buyers who value the safety of their families. While the activities we did were performed in a controlled environment, knowing that the MPV could handle certain situations proved that it cared for more than just its occupant’s comfort.

Speaking of which, the GAC M6 Pro is equipped with plenty of comfort and convenience features, which we got to enjoy during the trip. It has leather seats with electronic controls, captain’s chairs on the second row, a spacious enough third-row bench, and a dual-zone automatic air conditioning with PM 1.0 air filter.

For the driver, the GAC M6 Pro offers a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch infotainment system, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with various controls for audio and driving nannies.

Under the hood is a 1.5-liter gasoline engine shared by the Emkoo and Emzoom. It is mated to a seven-speed dual wet clutch transmission which — sometimes felt a little jumpy — facilitated smoother gear changes and a more direct connection between the engine and the wheel.

The GAC M6 Pro is offered in two variants: GS and GL. They are priced from P1.23 million-P1.598 million.

Photos from Juan Paulo Papa

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