This KX 11 looks too much like a Volvo XC90.
In Malaysia, the 7-seat SUV segment is very popular and the current models that are doing well starts with the Mazda CX-8 which sells from RM179,960, then there is Hyundai Santa Fe which retails from RM169,888, the recently launched Toyota Fortuner which is selling for RM172,244 and this follows the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace which sells from RM165,000. All these four SUVs are new models and they are all local assembled.
Now, if you move up the financial ladder, there is the Mercedes GLB which was launched just a few months ago and is priced from RM269,118 and lets not forget the refreshed Volvo XC90 which has its pricing from RM373,888.
All the above are popular in one way or another with Malaysians wanting to drive SUV’s and having a third row of seating adds to its appeal.
Geely’s New SUV
Now comes news that Geely is about to unveil its latest SUV and it will come with 3 rows of seats and a very Volvo looking design. To explain further, Geely owns Volvo cars, so having a shared designed studio means having similar handsome looking vehicles. Moreover, Geely has shared engine facilities, therefore you can expect a range of powertrains to include a plug-in hybrid, full electric and also a petrol turbocharged engine.
This is Geely’s third Volvo CMA-based vehicle and this new large and well equipped Geely SUV is headed to production by the third quarter of this year.
Naming The SUV
Codenamed, the ‘KX11’, this CMA platform based SUV, which is the same platform that is used with the Volvo XC40, Geely Xing Yue and the Geely Preface sedan, shares its external dimensions with the all new Geely large Hao Yue SUV.
The Geely Hao Yue is a D-Segment SUV measuring in at 4835mm long and 1900mm wide. What’s more, the Hao Yue’s design makes full use of the space where its powertrain and engineering takes up minimum room while the cabin space occupies 69 percent of the total vehicle, around 6-8 percent more than the industry average.
Powering This SUV
Powering the new Geely KX11 will be a two-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine which comes from the Geely Xing Yue Sports Crossover. This is a 2.0L four-cylinder engine which is based on Volvo Car technology.
This 2.0L meets the world’s most stringent emissions standards, including China 6b and Euro 6d, while offering a maximum power of 235bhp and peak torque of 350 Nm, matched with an 8-speed Aisin automatic transmission. This powertrain combination allows the Xing Yue crossover to accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in just 6.8 seconds. In The KX11 SUV you might get a slightly less exciting 0-100km/h dash due to the added vehicle weight.
This SUV’s Debut
This new SUV is slated for official debut at the 2021 Auto Shanghai show on April 19, 2021. The production is expected to begin in the third quarter, and the first cars should ship globally before the year ends.
Will it arrive in Malaysia with a Proton badge? We will have to wait and see.
