2022 Geely Emgrand L Hi.X PHEV launched in China, up to 1,300 km range

• Emgrand L in China now gains a PHEV variant
• Sips just 3.8-litre/100 km, offers up to 1,300 km range
• Could this be offered in Malaysia?

Just a couple of hours ago, Geely launched the new 2022 Geely Emgrand L Hi.X plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sedan in China.

Three variants are offered in China, with prices starting from RMB 129,800 (~RM 86k) for the base variant, before topping out at RMB 145,800 (~RM 97k).

Visually, the new Emgrand L Hi.X PHEV is practically identical to the regular petrol Emgrand L, save for a couple of PHEV-exclusive bits, like the silver-finished Geely emblem up front, charging port on the left side of the car, and Hi.X emblem on the tailgate.

Also Read: 2021 Geely Binyue PHEV debuts in China, hints at potential X50 PHEV?

Perhaps the biggest change is in the car’s powertrain department. Here, the Emgrand L Hi.X PHEV gets a turbocharged 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine hooked up to a 3-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT Pro).

Also Read: Geely Xingyue L Hi.X Hybrid introduced at the 2021 Guangzhou Auto Show; Bookings to start December

The 1.5-litre engine is capable of delivering 181 PS and 290 Nm. Thanks to the front-mounted electric motor, the combined system output is an eye-watering 317 PS and 610 Nm. This allows the Emgrand L Hi.X PHEV to complete the century sprint in just 6.9 seconds.

Fuel consumption for the Emgrand L Hi.X PHEV is rated at 3.8-litre/100 km, allowing for a range of up to 1,300 km. Battery capacity for this newly launched sedan was not mentioned, but Geely said that it can do up to 100 km of pure electric range.

Sophisticated powertrain aside, the rest of the Emgrand L Hi.X’s equipment largely mirrors the regular petrol variant, details of which can be found here.

Also Read: All-new 2022 Geely Emgrand L launched; We wish it becomes a Proton sedan

What about Malaysia?

Back in late-2021, Chief Executive Officer of Proton Edar Sdn Bhd (PESB), Roslan Abdullah, told StarBizWeek that Proton has plans to introduce hybrids (HEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV), and electric vehicles (EV).

Seeing that the sedan market is shrinking year after year, the Emgrand L Hi.X may not be suitable. But fret not, as Geely has quite a handful of electrified models in their line-up.

​In China, Geely has just introduced the PHEV version of the facelifted 2021 Geely Binyue (Proton X50’s twin) called the Binyue 1.5T ePro. It’s powered by an electrified 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces a combined output of 258 PS and 415 Nm.

Maybe this could become the basis for a Proton X50 PHEV in Malaysia.

Also Read: EV in Malaysia for under RM 100k? Proton confirms plans for hybrids and EVs