Geely has used the Auto Shangai 2021 motor show as the venue to fully unveil their latest flagship product called the Xingyue L or previously using the codename KX11.
Designed at Geely Design Shanghai, the Xingyue L expands on the design developments from Geely Auto’s Preface concept. Vice President of Geely Design Shanghai, Guy Burgoyne, commented, “In 2019, we unveiled a preface of what’s to come, a new design language and a slingshot from our Expanding Cosmos philosophy.”
“In 2020, with the new design language and the passion for realising an idea into reality, we conceived a super-premium and refined SUV concept. Today, this super-premium concept has become the Xingyue L,” concluded Burgoyne.
Upfront, is perhaps Geely’s largest and most imposing grille. Vertical slats in the grille expand from Geely’s logo towards the periphery like a moving cosmic energy wave. At the sides are high performance matrix LED headlamps featuring 126 individually-controlled LED lighting pieces.
The DRLs meanwhile feature in a segment of six, a number that is well integrated into Geely’s rich history. The word “liù” or six in Chinese indirectly means smoothness, is also founder Li Shufu’s great aspiration for the company to enjoy smooth and auspicious development.
At the rear, the Xingyue L gets dot-matrix tail lamps with 176 LEDs. Connected to each other by a strip of lights, the visual effect of a cosmic aurora is created when viewing the Xingyue L from the rear.
Proudly built on Geely’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), the Xingyue L measures 4,770 mm in length over a wheelbase of 2,845 mm, placing it in the pool of large three-row SUVs such as the Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-8, and Toyota Fortuner. For comparison, the flagship SUV is 251 mm longer than the Proton X70/Geely Boyue.
Powering the flagship SUV are two engine choices. Both engines are based on the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine jointly developed by Geely and Volvo. The high output engine delivers 238 hp and 380 Nm of torque that registers a 0 – 100 km/h sprint time of 7.7 seconds.
The standard tuning meanwhile has outputs of 218 hp and 325 Nm of torque and increases the sprint time by just 0.2 seconds to clock a time of 7.9 seconds.
Two transmission options are available for the 2.0-litre engine, either a Geely-developed seven-speed dual-clutch (DCT) or an Aisin’s eight-speed automatic transmission. Power flow is then transmitted to a BorgWarner sixth-generation all-wheel drive system that includes an off-road driving mode with an equal 50-50 torque distribution on the front and rear axles.
The Xingyue L comes with a dual-toned interior that combines a polished cyberpunk black with classical bronze inlays. The cyberpunk black highlights the model’s technological heritage while the bronze and green are reminiscent of ritual bronzeware given to nobility in Asian history.
Custom suede is used liberally while weaving in the seats incorporate Chinese elements like classical knots, adding an element of refinement in the details while giving a visual reminder of where the brand is from. CMA branding is also splashed on the front seats as well as the steering wheel.
Based on images seen in social media, the Xingyue L remains to be a five-seater, with plenty of legroom available for the rear occupants. Apart from an armrest, a rear air-conditioning system with controls plus phone chargers, there is nothing exceptional about being in the back seats.
Meanwhile, the front occupants get to enjoy multimedia presentation through a one-metre long (horizontal) display screen. Earlier teasers mentioned the capability to display images across the entire length (sans borders) and not just a piece of protective glass.
Xingyue L teaser Xingyue L actual display
However, images from local media portals display two distinct and individual screens beneath the glass panel.
Going beyond Level 2 autonomous drive, Xingyue L comes with Geely’s newest 5G-enabled, completely unmanned automated valet system. Within a 200-metre area such as a parking lot, the Xingyue L can drive entirely on its own, search for a parking spot, and park itself.
The return trip can also be accomplished by calling the Xingyue L to pick up the user within a 200-metre area. The vehicle can achieve this feat through the integration of 12 ultrasonic radars, five millimetre-wave radars, four high-definition surround-view cameras, a monocular camera, a dashcam, an interior camera and 24 environmental sensors.
Looking forward to the Xingyue L arriving as a Proton X90 or even X100 in Malaysia? We can only be hopeful!
GALLERY
Xingyue L actual display
