Geely XingYue Launched In China – Volvo XC40 Platform, It Also Recognises Your Face

After months of preview, the Geely Xingyue has now been launched in China, with prices ranging from CNY 135,800 to 208,800. For comparison, the Geely Boyue which our Proton X70 is based on, is priced from CNY98,800 to CNY 161,800. In other words, Geely’s first coupe-SUV carries a 40 percent premium over a conventional SUV like the Boyue (X70).

Styled in the form first established by the BMW X4, the Geely XingYue is Geely’s first driver-oriented model.

Unlike other Geely models, the XingYue doesn’t use a blue Geely logo. Instead, it uses an all-black colour badge, which Geely says will be used on all future driver-oriented models.

Built on Volvo’s CMA platform that also underpins the Volvo XC40, the five-seater XingYue is available with three powertrain options, all turbocharged petrol:

• 1.5TD three-cylinder, Plug-in Hybrid, 7-speed wet-type dual-clutch automatic – 258 PS, 415 Nm
• 2.0TD four-cylinder, 8-speed torque converter automatic - 238 PS, 350 Nm
• 1.5TD three-cylinder, Mild Hybrid with 7-speed wet-type dual-clutch automatic – 190 PS, 300 Nm

The 2.0 TD unit is the same engine that powers the Volvo XC40. It goes from 0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds, which Geely claims make the XingYue amongst the fastest in its class.

The plug-in hybrid variant comes with two different options for the lithium-ion hybrid battery – 11.3 kWh and 15.2 kWh. The former offers an electric driving range of 56 km, while the latter offers 80 km.

On-demand four-wheel drive is also available, but only for the 2.0TD variant. It uses BorgWarner’s fifth generation electro-hydraulic four-wheel drive system that automatically switches between two- and four-wheel drive, with a maximum front-rear torque split of 50:50.

All variants ride on MacPherson front suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension.

In keeping with Geely’s typically feature-packed offerings, the XingYue adds on to its regular GKUI natural language voice command infotainment to now also offer a facial recognition feature. Instead of the usual memory-seat and side mirrors adjustment function, the XingYue uses facial recognition to adjust the driver’s seat, side mirrors, and infotainment (12.3-inch touch screen). The same feature also continuously monitors the driver for signs of fatigue and distraction.

It also comes with a full suite of advanced driving assistance features – adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, traffic jam assist, 360-degree parking camera, self-parking function - all of it adding up to make the XingYue capable of Level 2 semi-autonomous driving.

Currently, the XingYue is only available in China. Introduction in Malaysia (as a Proton) is still unclear but Proton has already announced that it will be launching at least 3 more utility-type vehicles between now and 2023. Of the three, two are clearly the Honda HR-V rivalling Geely BinYue (Proton X50) and the Geely JiaJi, which will be positioned above the Proton Exora. Could the XingYue the final puzzle to complete Proton’s trio of upmarket SUVs?