GAC GA8: Which Version Should You Buy?
The GAC GA8 choice comes down to three configurations: the original 1.8 AT with 188 hp, the original 2.0 AT with 197 hp, and the restyled 2.0 AT with 252 hp. All are Gasoline-powered, turbocharged, front-wheel-drive Sedans with a 6-speed Automatic transmission. The 1.8 AT is the economy-oriented option because it has the lowest measured combined consumption, at 7.8 l/100 km.
The GAC GA8 choice comes down to three configurations: the original 1.8 AT with 188 hp, the original 2.0 AT with 197 hp, and the restyled 2.0 AT with 252 hp. All are Gasoline-powered, turbocharged, front-wheel-drive Sedans with a 6-speed Automatic transmission. The 1.8 AT is the economy-oriented option because it has the lowest measured combined consumption, at 7.8 l/100 km. The original 2.0 AT adds 9 hp and 20 Nm but records 7.9 l/100 km combined. The restyled 2.0 AT is the performance choice: it produces 55 hp and 90 Nm more than the earlier 2.0 AT, although its combined consumption was not measured.
GAC GA8 generations and version differences
The GA8 has one generation represented in two production phases. The original first-generation Sedan was produced from April 2016 through August 2020 and offered two versions: 1.8 AT and 2.0 AT. This phase covers searches for a GAC GA8 2019 or GAC GA8 2020, but exact specifications depend on the version rather than the year alone.
The first-generation restyling began in September 2020 and has no recorded end date in the supplied data. It remains a Sedan but offers one version, also named 2.0 AT. It must be distinguished from the original 2.0 AT by output: the earlier car has 197 hp, while the restyled car has 252 hp. The restyling therefore changed the available engine range from two choices to one and raised the strongest output by 55 hp.
GAC GA8 engine and specs comparison
| Production phase and exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original 1.8 AT | 188 hp (138 kW) at 5500 rpm | 280 Nm at 1750–4500 rpm | 1796 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline; 4 valves per cylinder | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Original 2.0 AT, 197 hp | 197 hp (144 kW) at 5200 rpm | 300 Nm at 1600–4500 rpm | 1991 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline; 4 valves per cylinder | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Restyled 2.0 AT, 252 hp | 252 hp (185 kW); power rpm not measured | 390 Nm; torque rpm not measured | 1991 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline; 4 valves per cylinder | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
The original 1.8 AT develops approximately 104.7 hp per litre, while the original 197 hp 2.0 AT develops approximately 98.9 hp per litre. Despite its larger displacement, the early 2.0 AT therefore has a lower specific output. Its advantage is instead an extra 20 Nm and 9 hp, with maximum torque beginning 150 rpm earlier.
The restyled 252 hp 2.0 AT develops approximately 126.6 hp per litre. Against the original 197 hp 2.0 AT, that represents roughly 27.9% more power and 30% more torque from the same 1991 cc displacement. Against the 1.8 AT, it supplies 64 hp and 110 Nm more.
GAC GA8 performance and fuel economy
| Production phase and exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original 1.8 AT | not measured | not measured | 10.1 l/100 km | 6.5 l/100 km | 7.8 l/100 km |
| Original 2.0 AT, 197 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | 7.9 l/100 km |
| Restyled 2.0 AT, 252 hp | not measured | 210 km/h | not measured | 7.8 l/100 km | not measured |
The original 1.8 AT provides the most complete economy data. Its measured city figure is 3.6 l/100 km higher than its highway figure, while its combined result is 0.1 l/100 km lower than that of the original 2.0 AT. That small measured difference makes the 1.8 AT the clearer efficiency choice, but no city or highway figures are available for a complete like-for-like comparison with the 197 hp 2.0 AT.
The restyled 252 hp 2.0 AT is the only version with a measured top speed, at 210 km/h. Its highway consumption is 7.8 l/100 km, but city and combined consumption are not measured. Acceleration from 0–100 km/h was not measured for any version, so the power increase cannot be converted into a verified acceleration advantage.
GAC GA8 dimensions, weight, tank, and wheel sizes
Dimensions were not measured for the original 1.8 AT, the original 197 hp 2.0 AT, or the restyled 252 hp 2.0 AT. Ground clearance, gross weight, and wheel sizes were also not measured for any of the three versions.
| Production phase and exact version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original 1.8 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | 70 l | not measured |
| Original 2.0 AT, 197 hp | 1772 kg | not measured | not measured | 70 l | not measured |
| Restyled 2.0 AT, 252 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | 70 l | not measured |
Only the original 197 hp 2.0 AT has a measured kerb weight: 1772 kg. That equals approximately 9.0 kg per horsepower. Weight per horsepower cannot be calculated for the other versions because their kerb weights were not measured.
Every version has a 70 l fuel tank. Each also uses Independent, spring suspension at both ends, Ventilated disc front brakes, and Disc rear brakes. Consequently, the supplied chassis specifications do not create a clear preference between the engines or production phases.
Which GAC GA8 version should you buy?
Choose the original 1.8 AT if measured fuel economy is the priority. It records 7.8 l/100 km combined and 6.5 l/100 km on the highway while still producing 188 hp and 280 Nm. It is also the only version with measured city, highway, and combined consumption figures.
Choose the original 2.0 AT, identified by its 197 hp output, if you want a modest increase in engine output without moving to the restyled phase. Compared with the 1.8 AT, it adds 9 hp and 20 Nm, increases displacement by 195 cc, and raises measured combined consumption by 0.1 l/100 km. Its 300 Nm torque peak also starts at 1600 rpm rather than 1750 rpm.
Choose the restyled 2.0 AT, identified by 252 hp, when maximum output matters most. It retains the 1991 cc displacement, 6-speed Automatic transmission, FWD, and 70 l tank of the earlier 2.0 AT, but adds 55 hp and 90 Nm. It is also the only GA8 version here with a measured top speed, at 210 km/h.
There is no supported price comparison because GAC GA8 prices and sale listings are not included in the data. Likewise, reliability and problems cannot decide the purchase because no reliability or fault data were measured. On specifications alone, the original 1.8 AT is the economy pick, the 197 hp 2.0 AT is the small-output upgrade, and the restyled 252 hp 2.0 AT is the strongest choice by a substantial margin.