Geely Xing Yue coupe SUV revealed, Australian debut unlikely

Chinese automotive giant Geely Auto has revealed its new Xing Yue, claiming the title of the world’s first coupe SUV with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain option. 

The Xing Yue is the first of its kind to be built on Geely’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), and will be available in China with a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE), a mild-hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

With Australia’s taste for mid-size SUVs, the new Geely may be a good fit locally, however, the prospect is unlikely. 

When sketches of the Xing Yue were shown in January under codename ‘FY11’, a spokesperson from Geely told CarsGuide that it had “no plan to enter the Australian market”.

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As owners of the Swedish carmaker, Geely used Volvo powertrains for its Xing Yue medium SUV.

Although nothing is locked in yet, Geely intends to achieve international success as part of its ‘Global Refined Car Development Strategy’, meaning it may one day export right-hand-drive models to Australia.

Speaking at the launch of the Xing Yue, Geely Auto president and CEO An Conghui explained the company’s modular architectures will help it become a “world-class brand”.

“As the leading Chinese auto brand, Geely’s goal is to fully participate in the global market and become one of the top automotive groups in the world,” he said. 

“Geely has entered the era of modular manufacturing and have developed four industry-leading modular vehicle architectures, BMA, CMA, SPA, and the pure electric PMA to ensure we maintain an inter-generational leading edge over the next decade.

“These cutting-edge core technologies will become the driving force for Geely to become a world-class brand.”

The Geely Xing Yue capitalises on the booming

As the owner of Volvo Cars, Geely Auto called on its Swedish resources for the Xing Yue, borrowing a Volvo-developed 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine matched with an eight-speed Aisin automatic transmission. 

In ICE guise, the Xing Yue produces 175kW and 350Nm, and will sprint from zero to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds.

The electrified variants instead use a Volvo-sourced 130kW/255Nm 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto.

Mild-hybrid versions make use of a 48V motor for an extra 10kW of power and improved fuel economy.

Positioned as a luxury offering, the Xing Yue boasts a high-end cabin with a strong suite of tech features.

PHEV units are offered with an 11.3kWh, or a 15.2kWh lithium-ion battery, delivering 56km or 80km of pure-electric driving range, respectively.

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When connected to a fast charger, the larger battery can be filled in 105 minutes, and lifts the Xing Yue’s outputs to 190kW and 415Nm. 

As Geely’s new flagship SUV, a strong suite of driver-assistance and comfort technologies are equipped including Face-ID, which automatically adjusts the vehicle settings such as seat position mirrors and entertainment features using facial recognition.

The Xing Yue will be the fifth member of Geely’s SUV line-up in China, joining the Emgrand GS, X7, X7 Sport and Bin Yue.

Would the Geely Xing Yue be a good fit for local soil? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section.