A mechanical twin of the GAC Emkoo, the GS4 Max HEV goes for a more conventional look with the “Enlightening Eye” LED headlights and “Criss-Cross” grille. At the side, it keeps its electronic flush door handles and “Dynamic” 18-inch wheels. At the back, there’s the Rainbow Taillights. If the look itself gives off strong whiffs of Toyota, that’s probably because former Toyota Chief Engineer Masato Katsumata serves as GAC’s Chief Technology Officer.

Katsumata also probably had a hand in developing the GS4 Max HEV’s powertrain. It’s basically the Emkoo HEV’s with a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder (138 horsepower, 180 Nm) providing primary thrust. It’s supplemented by an electric motor producing 182 horsepower and 300 Nm. The combined output is rated at 232 horsepower. A 2.1-kWh Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NCM) battery helps boost fuel efficiency to 20.83 km/L (1,250 kilometers combined range).

The front-wheel drive compact SUV also features a 2-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) with three modes—Eco, Comfort, and Sport.

Inside, the GS4 Max HEV features a tech-heavy interior with a 10.1-inch multifunction touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 7-inch LCD instrument cluster, meanwhile, provides the driver with pertinent driving-related information. The GS4 Max HEV also has PVC synthetic leather seats with 6-way power adjustment for the driver, a panoramic sunroof, a 50-watt wireless charger, and a 4-speaker system.

In terms of ADAS functions, the GS4 Max HEV does have the full gamut including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane keeping assist. This is on top of a full set of airbags, ABS with EBD, stability control, a 360-degree camera, and tire pressure sensors.

Now comes the interesting bit. The Emkoo HEV is currently sold for P 1,480,000. The specs of the GS4 Max HEV, while competitive, are slightly lower than the Emkoo. This could mean GAC Philippines will opt to price it similarly and drop the Emkoo altogether or keep the Emkoo as the top-trim, and price the GS4 Max HEV below it.

Whatever GAC Philippines decides to do, the wait won’t be that long as the GS4 Max HEV has received both its DOE and LTO homologation papers. This points to a possible launch in just a couple of weeks’ time.

For now, check out the specs below.