Geely has unveiled the all-new fifth-generation Geely Emgrand in China, the successor to the model that forms the basis of the Proton S70. Crucially, the new model has received a massive growth spurt, which now comes in at 4,815 mm long, 1,885 mm wide, and 1,480 mm tall, with a 2,650 mm wheelbase.
To put that into perspective, the new Emgrand is now much closer in size to the second-generation Proton Perdana – or actually a C-segment sedan, rather than whatever Proton calls its S70. There’s no suggestion that the all-new Geely Emgrand would come to Malaysia just yet, but just as a thought experiement, if this much larger Emgrand does make its way to Malaysia, could it be the perfect candidate for the next-generation Perdana?
The all-new Geely Emgrand now features a much bolder and opulent (we think) exterior design, characterised by a large front grille with a waterfall-style design and 12 vertical slats.
The sculpted bonnet gives it an imposing presence, while the rear profile is reminiscent of classic executive sedans from the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi.
The interior has been thoroughly revised with a more luxurious and modern design. While Geely has remained silent on the full specifications, a promotional video reveals several key upgrades. Dominating the dashboard is a new floating-style infotainment display, which looks significantly larger than the screen in the Proton S70 and is similar in size to the unit in the upcoming Proton eMAS 5 (stylised as e.MAS 5).
Right beneath it lies a welcome row of physical toggle switches for climate control shortcuts. The driver also gets a new digital instrument cluster.
The cabin appears to feature leather upholstery, and the centre console is updated with a crystal-finished gear lever and a wireless charging pad. The perforated front seats also suggest that heating and ventilation functions could be available.
Powering the all-new fifth-generation Geely Emgrand is a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that produces 181 hp and 290 Nm of torque. This engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), enabling a 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.9 seconds, as reported by Autohome.
These outputs suggest that the all-new Emgrand is using the same powertrain found in the Proton X50, which produces identical figures from its new 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-four engine. For comparison sake, the current Proton S70 is equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder that produces 150 hp and 226 Nm.
Geely has not disclosed official pricing for the all-new Emgrand, but the outgoing model sells from RMB68,900 (approx. RM41k) to RMB86,900 (approx. RM51k) in China. Considering the growth spurt, it’s reasonable to expect a price increase, but with a market as competitive as China’s, the all-new Emgrand could even be priced lower than the outgoing model.
GALLERY
