The Emgrand L HiP is a compact plug-in hybrid sedan under Geely Auto. First launched in 2022, it represents one of the flagship sedan applications of Geely's Leishen Hi-X hybrid powertrain technology. Built upon the petrol-powered Emgrand L, the vehicle is equipped with Geely's Leishen HiP Super Electric Hybrid system, targeting the RM100,000 to RM150,000 PHEV family sedan segment with a dual focus on "performance and fuel economy". The 2024 Emgrand L HiP Champion Edition is available in two variants—Transcendence Edition and Excellence Edition—with an official price range of RM109,800 to RM122,800, featuring a standard 100 km NEDC pure electric range across the board.
Positioned as a C-segment plug-in hybrid saloon, the Emgrand L HiP is the new energy vehicle (NEV) derivative of Geely's Emgrand family. Key highlights include a 1.5TD turbocharged engine paired with a 3-speed DHT Pro dedicated hybrid transmission, delivering a total system output of 233 kW (317 PS), a 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.9 seconds, a 100 km pure EV range, and Level 2 ADAS driver assistance systems fitted as standard across the range. The 2024 Champion Edition lineup comprises the Transcendence Edition (RM109,800) and Excellence Edition (RM122,800), backed by a six-year or 150,000 km manufacturer warranty. Primary rivals in the RM100,000-bracket PHEV sedan market include the BYD Qin PLUS DM-i, Wuling Starlight, and Changan Qiyuan A05.
The 2024 Emgrand L HiP Champion Edition adopts a cleaner, EV-inspired exterior styling that departs from the aggressive look of its predecessor. Up front, the previous wide-mouth grille has been replaced by a sleek, closed-off front fascia featuring an illuminated Geely emblem at the centre. Sharp headlamp assemblies flanked by L-shaped gloss black trim elements give the front end a contemporary, understated appearance typical of modern electrified vehicles.
In profile, the sedan sports clean, flowing lines with a prominent shoulder crease stretching from the front wing through to the tail lamps, accented by subtle chrome window surrounds for an elevated touch. Dimensionally, the car measures 4,735 mm in length, 1,815 mm in width, and 1,495 mm in height, with a 2,700 mm wheelbase, conforming to standard compact sedan proportions. At the rear, full-width LED tail lamps combine with an integrated ducktail bootlid spoiler to deliver a distinctive and recognisable light signature at night.
Inside, the Emgrand L HiP offers a choice of two interior colourways: Dawn Brown and Midnight Black. The dashboard layout is headlined by a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch floating infotainment touchscreen. A flat-bottom three-spoke steering wheel provides a tactile grip, while the plushly padded faux leather seats ensure good passenger comfort. The cabin maintains a clean, minimalist layout while retaining crucial physical switchgear for effortless operation on the move.
The Emgrand L HiP runs on Geely's Leishen HiP Super Electric Hybrid architecture, pairing a 1.5TD turbocharged engine with a 3-speed DHT Pro hybrid transmission and a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor.
Engine: The BHE15 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol unit generates 133 kW (181 PS) and 290 Nm of torque. Featuring direct fuel injection, it runs on RON 92 fuel and meets China 6b emissions standards. This forced-induction setup gives it an edge over segment rivals that predominantly use 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engines.
Electric Motor: The single front-mounted electric motor outputs 100 kW (136 PS) and a maximum torque of 320 Nm.
Combined Output: Total system performance stands at 233 kW (approx. 317 PS) and 610 Nm of torque, enabling an official 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 6.9 seconds, with real-world tests clocking as fast as 6.42 seconds. Top speed is rated at 230 km/h.
Battery and Range: Power is supplied by a 15.5 kWh ternary lithium-ion battery pack sourced from Viri E-Mobility. It yields an NEDC pure electric range of 100 km (80 km on the WLTC cycle). Total cruising range reaches up to 1,300 km on a full tank and full charge. Fuel consumption in depleted-battery state is rated at 3.8 L/100 km (NEDC), with combined WLTC fuel consumption as low as 1.4 L/100 km.
Charging: The Champion Edition introduces DC fast charging, replenishing the battery from 30% to 80% in approximately 40 minutes, alongside a 6.6 kW AC onboard charger that completes a full charge in 2.5 hours.
Underneath, the front-wheel-drive Emgrand L HiP rides on MacPherson strut independent front suspension and a rear torsion beam non-independent setup. The chassis tuning prioritises ride comfort while retaining sufficient road feedback. It exhibits European-like damping composure, soaking up road imperfections neatly and suppressing body roll and bounce over undulating surfaces. The electric power steering (EPS) delivers precise turn-in with natural weighting, complementing the progressive throttle and brake pedal modulation to make the car nimble and easy to drive.
Available drive modes include Sport, Eco, and Standard/Comfort, alongside a dedicated SAVE range-extension mode. In SAVE mode during low-to-medium speed driving, the clutch disengages and the engine acts strictly as an onboard generator to power the electric motor, eliminating direct engine drive to significantly improve cabin NVH levels. The car rides on 205/50 R17 tyres and comes with an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold.
The Emgrand L HiP runs on the Geely Galaxy OS infotainment system, displayed on a 12.3-inch central touchscreen with GPS navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, Internet of Vehicles (IoV), Wi-Fi hotspot, and over-the-air (OTA) update capability. The voice command system handles multimedia playback, navigation, telephony, climate control, and sunroof operations. The standard 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster supports a three-finger swipe gesture to seamlessly cast navigation maps from the centre screen to the driver display.
In terms of convenience features, all variants come standard with faux leather upholstery, automatic climate control with rear air vents, an electric sunroof, keyless entry on the driver's side, and automatic LED headlamps. Stepping up to the top-tier Excellence Edition adds heated front seats, a 6-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system with transparent chassis display. Audio is handled by an 8-speaker sound system, complemented by two front USB ports and one rear USB port.
On the safety front, the Emgrand L HiP is fitted with a comprehensive suite of active and passive features. Standard equipment across the range includes six airbags (dual front, front side, and full-length curtain airbags), tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TCS), and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).
For driver assistance, Level 2 ADAS capability comes standard across the entire lineup. The suite comprises Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Centering Assist (LCA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), and Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR). The range-topping Excellence Edition further gains a 540-degree transparent chassis camera system, offering comprehensive situational awareness when parking and manoeuvring through tight spots.
Since its launch, the Emgrand L HiP has seen relatively modest sales traction. Monthly delivery figures have hovered in the mid-hundreds, dropping to just 116 units in July 2024, leaving a noticeable gap behind segment frontrunners like the BYD Qin PLUS DM-i.
Industry observers attribute this subdued market reception to several key factors: firstly, pricing pressure—with an entry price of RM109,800, it sits higher than competitors like the Qin PLUS DM-i (starting from RM79,800), in a segment highly sensitive to price; secondly, a slight positioning mismatch—the high-output 1.5T turbo powertrain conflicts somewhat with budget-conscious buyers prioritising pure fuel economy; thirdly, battery branding—the use of Viri E-Mobility ternary lithium cells faces stiffer competition against established tier-one battery brands; and finally, limited marketing spend, which has constrained overall model awareness.
From an ownership perspective, drivers generally praise the car's lively performance (0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds), supple ride comfort, and dependable 100 km EV range. Conversely, common user complaints include transmission jerkiness when operating on a depleted battery, occasional infotainment system lag, and limited rear passenger headroom. Feedback logged on consumer quality platforms like 12365auto.com also highlights sporadic infotainment glitches, drivetrain hesitation, and sub-par air conditioning cooling performance.
In summary, the Geely Emgrand L HiP stands out as a "performance + economy" plug-in hybrid family saloon with strong technical credentials, courtesy of its 1.5T engine, 3-speed DHT gearbox, brisk 6.9-second sprint, 100 km pure EV range, and standard Level 2 ADAS suite. However, in an intensely competitive RM100,000 to RM150,000 PHEV arena, aggressive pricing, strong brand equity, and exact alignment with buyer priorities remain decisive. For drivers seeking robust straight-line punch, European-flavoured ride dynamics, and a distinctive PHEV proposition, the Emgrand L HiP remains an interesting alternative in its class.
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