The 7-seater SUV market has long been dominated by the Koreans and Japanese in Malaysia. But these latest teased renders show that the Chinese are readying up for a big assault on the segment. The Geely VX11 or Haoyue as it’s beginning to be known is the company’s latest foray into the large SUV market and it comes in at 4835mm long, 1780mm tall, 1900mm wide.
That makes it wider, longer and taller than the current Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe – but not quite as large as the Mazda CX-9. Versus the CX-8, it’s a little wider and taller, but still not as long.
Two engine choices have been indicated, the 1.8-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder with 181hp and 300Nm of torque and the 1.5-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder with 174hp and 255Nm of torque. The 1.5-litre is seen on other Geely products but hasn’t yet made it to the Proton family. Both engines are paired to the 7-speed DCT that is seen on the locally-assembled Proton X70, meaning there is some Volvo DNA injected into this large Chinese SUV.
Geely also recently announced that all its cars would be fitted with an N95 grade air filter called the G-Clean Intelligent Air Purification System (IAPS).
Looking at the renders, we see some signature Geely design elements, like the Expanding Cosmos grille with elements of the bodypaint surrounding the chrome grille trim just like in the Boyue Pro. Chiselled character lines surround the SUV to give it a muscular appearance and plastic body cladding surrounds the vehicle. Roof rails are present, but missing is the floating roof design seen on the X70.
One thing that’s definitely unique about this large 7-seater SUV is just how small the engine is. Rumours suggest that it will be paired to Geely’s P0 electric motor to give it the fuel saving advantages of a hybridised setup. This 1.5L MHEV platform is seen on the Geely Borui GE sedan, so it doesn’t seem far fetched. It would make the Haoyue quite unique in the segment, for sure.
