Geely Xingyue launched in China – FY11 SUV “coupe” gets 235 hp 2.0L, mild and plug-in hybrids, Face ID

Nearly six months after Geely teased its new SUV “coupé”, codenamed FY11, the company has finally launched the car in its home market of China. The Geely Xingyue, as it’s properly called, introduces a variety of new technologies and powertrain options for the brand, with pricing that ranges from 135,800 yuan (RM82,400) to 208,800 yuan (RM126,800).

As previously reported, the Xingyue is the first Geely model to be built on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) that also underpins the Volvo XC40 and the Lynk & Co range of models. It measures 4,605 mm long, 1,878 mm wide and 1,643 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,700 mm.

Geely says that the Xingyue’s design is inspired by dynamic moments in life and nature, with the tense body surfacing claimed to be reminiscent of a wildcat ready to pounce. There’s a pronounced front fender line that leads into the scalloped sides – very much like the Boyue – and a low-slung roofline that is de rigeur in the segment, plus short front and rear overhangs enabled by the CMA platform.

Geely Xingyue launched in China – FY11 SUV “coupe” gets 235 hp 2.0L, mild and plug-in hybrids, Face ID

At the front, you get slim headlights, the trademark “expanding cosmos” grille (now with a new all-black badge that was previewed on the Preface concept) and large front air intakes, which are equipped with active shutters to optimise aerodynamics and cooling. Moving to the rear, there are broad two-piece tail lights joined by a chrome strip, along with an aggressive diffuser with quad integrated exhaust exits.

Inside, the Xingyue’s dashboard is tilted towards the driver, with an asymmetric “flying wing” design and door cards inspired by origami. Two screens dominate the interior, one being the digital instrument cluster and the other being a 12.3-inch touchscreen connected to the Global Key User Interface (GKUI). The latest GKUI 2.0 system comes with an improved user interface, intelligent speech recognition and navigation.

Also fitted is a nine-inch full-colour head-up display, along with a novel Face ID system that uses facial recognition to identify the driver – not unlike, say, an iPhone X or XS. The system will then adjust various vehicle settings like the seating position, mirrors and entertainment settings to suit their preferences, and it will even warn the driver if it recognises facial expressions that indicate fatigue, such as frequent blinking or yawning. Too bad you can’t use it to make Animojis.

Geely Xingyue launched in China – FY11 SUV “coupe” gets 235 hp 2.0L, mild and plug-in hybrids, Face ID

Safety-wise, the Xingyue is available with Level 2 semi-autonomous driving technologies such as full-speed Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) with Traffic Jam Assistance (TJA) and Lane Keeping System (LKS). It also features autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection (AEB-P), Rear Collision Warning (RCW), Speed Limit Identification (SLIF), Lane Change Assist (LCA), Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Door Open Warning (DOW). Automatic Park Assist (APA) and a 360-degree camera system are also offered.

Under the bonnet, the Xingyue is the first Geely to come with Volvo’s Drive-E 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 235 hp and 350 Nm of torque; with an Aisin eight-speed automatic gearbox, the car is able to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. A 1.5 litre three-cylinder mill is also available, mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission and delivering 174 hp and 255 Nm.

The smaller engine gets an optional 48-volt mild hybrid system that boosts power output to 188 hp whilst achieving a combined fuel consumption figure of 5.6 litres per 100 km. Alternatively, there’s a plug-in hybrid version that churns out a total system output of 255 hp and 415 Nm, available with two battery capacities.

Geely Xingyue launched in China – FY11 SUV “coupe” gets 235 hp 2.0L, mild and plug-in hybrids, Face ID

The 11.3 kWh version has an all-electric range of 56 km, combined fuel consumption of 1.6 litres per 100 km and a fast-charging time of 90 minutes. The larger 15.2 kWh battery boosts the electric range to 80 km, delivers a combined fuel consumption figure of 1.2 litres per 100 km and can be fast charged in 105 minutes

Under the skin, the Xingyue is as per the status quo, suspended by MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear. It gets an optional BorgWarner all-wheel drive system that sends up to 50% fo torque to the rear wheels, plus 20-inch wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres. These rollers hide large 322 mm front brake discs that help stop the car from 100 km/h in 35.3 metres.

What do you guys think – would you like to see this car over here as a Proton? Sound off in the comments section after the jump.

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