There was a time when, as young and enthusiastic car spotters being ferried around by parents to school and other events, the first call on a car bearing a GT badge would score an additional point and eagle eyes would scan the traffic for the likes of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT 1600 or Ford Fairmont GT and others.
In the mid-1900s the concept of the GT emerged from Europe where the idea was to marry high-performance and touring capability – grand tourer – and many of these sleek speedsters came in a 2+2 design.
Sadly, by the 1980s this badging has become massively overused and poorly applied to cover almost anything the manufacturer decided from mildly cosmetic tweaks to still embracing the original meaning of the concept.
Enter the Omoda C5 GT seeking to claim its place in the ranks of the sporty – my test unit a bottomless black featuring gold lettering and, of course, the large rear wing that states it claim to being a performance car.
The C5 GT gives you some options to customize its look. You can choose from up to eight different styling kits, including adding a front splitter, side skirts, and even a rear wing if that's your thing.
Inside, there's some gold trim on the door panels and centre console, but it's not too over the top. Plus, you get a sunroof as standard.
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Underneath, it's got a Kunpeng 1,6-litre turbo engine paired with a slick seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and the important numbers are 145 kW at 5 500 r/min with 290 Nm of torque from 1 750 r/min propelling it to 100 km/h in 8,0 seconds and on to a terminal velocity around 190 km/h.
So, the Omoda C5 GT is somewhat sportier than its standard C5 sibling (which has the 1,5-litre engine) and the additional grunt definitely works in its favour, even when just trolling through the morning traffic.
Fuel consumption during the test averaged at 7,1 l/100 km – Omoda claims 6,8 l/100 km – but, over a longer period, I feel the extra torque would translate into measurable savings compared to the standard C5 that averaged 7,5 l/100 km when we had it on test.
It sits on 215/55 R18 wheels and tyres but, bigger wheels can sometimes mean a bumpier ride, and that is what we found on some rough patches of road. So, while it's great for cruising through the city, you might feel those bumps a bit more on country roads.
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Inside is an oasis of opulence and technology, where a 64-hue ambient lighting array meets the functional brilliance of twin 10,25-inch high-definition touchscreens.
These screens serve as the nerve centre for all vehicle operations, safety features, and multimedia entertainment. They are complemented by a seamless wireless connection to smartphones, compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Directly beneath these displays lies a multi-touch, illuminated climate control panel that not only presents climate settings on a digital screen but also intuitively adjusts its interface based on user interaction and environmental factors.
Employing shift-by-wire technology, the Omoda C5 GT boasts a streamlined central console featuring an expansive charging area and a sleek gear selector. This design cleverly incorporates concealed storage beneath the console.
The array of upscale amenities is extensive, including smart wireless charging, twin 12V outlets, voice command capabilities, athletic seating, USB access for all passengers, remote climate control activation via the key fob, multi-directional power seat adjustment with ventilation options for both driver and passenger.
There is a voice-activated sunroof, a premium 8-speaker Sony audio system, supplementary ambient lighting for the backseat area and an encompassing 360-degree camera system offering a comprehensive view around the vehicle.
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The Omoda earned a five-star safety rating from the rigorous NCAP crash-test program, equipped with an array of six crash bags, encompassing front, side, and curtain coverage.
It also features ISOFIX child seat fixtures, intelligent seatbelt tensioning, four-wheel anti-lock braking system, tyre pressure monitoring and a standard electronic stability program.
Enhancing driver support, the vehicle includes systems for automatic headlight beam adjustment, adaptive cruise control, alerts for rear cross-traffic, traffic sign detection and blind-spot surveillance, among others.
In comparison to its rivals, the Omoda C5 GT is positioned as a trendy, slightly more upmarket option aimed at younger buyers. It competes with vehicles such as the Opel Mokka, Kia Seltos GT-Line, Mazda CX-30, Volkswagen T-Roc and the larger Haval H6 GT.
However, priced at R589 990, it has a different level of competition in that on the monetary scale it would compare to the Fiat 500X 1.4T Sport EST, Hyundai Grand Creta 1.5D Executive and Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i L.
If there is one thing to criticise, it is the small rear window that offers a minimalistic view but is completely obliterated when the rear is passenger-laden.
Overall, the Omoda C5 GT offers a compelling package of style, performance and technology, making it a competitive option for those looking for a premium crossover experience.
Colin Windell
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