Geely Emgrand PHEV

Vehicle Overview

The Emgrand PHEV is the first plug-in hybrid electric sedan launched by Geely Auto, officially going on sale on 10 November 2017 at the "Global Future Mobility High-level Forum and International Exhibition" in Hangzhou. Developed on the platform underpinning the petrol-powered Emgrand and the all-electric Emgrand EV, the vehicle is positioned as a compact plug-in hybrid family sedan targeting key markets with vehicle quota systems like Shanghai and Shenzhen, catering primarily to e-hailing fleets and daily urban commutes. The lineup was offered in three variants—Progressive, Elite, and Premium—with official recommended retail prices ranging from RM165,800 to RM185,800. In Shanghai, for instance, post-subsidy prices factoring in national and local incentives sat between RM129,800 and RM149,800. The entire range adopts a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout and is exclusively powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Design Language

In terms of exterior styling, the Emgrand PHEV largely retains the classic silhouette of the petrol-powered Emgrand, distinguishing its electrified identity through subtle detail cues. Up front, it features Geely's signature "expanding cosmos" water-ripple grille, integrated with blue trim accents to highlight its new energy credentials. The charging flap is located on the front-left fender, while "HYBRID" and "PHEV" badges adorn the front wings and boot lid. The rear profile incorporates a tapered, aerodynamic contour, giving it a sleek fastback silhouette. In terms of dimensions, it measures 4,631 mm in length, 1,789 mm in width, and 1,492 mm in height, with a 2,650 mm wheelbase; overall height is slightly lower than the petrol version, while other measurements remain identical. It rides on 205/50 R17 tyres, fitted with Giti Comfort 228 series tyres engineered for low rolling noise and ride comfort.

Inside, the cabin layout mirrors that of the Emgrand EV, finished predominantly in black with silver chrome accents and blue contrast stitching to reflect its eco-friendly character. Build quality and materials are on par with the standard Emgrand, with soft-touch leatherette wrapping across high-contact surfaces to deliver a refined overall feel. The seats feature a striking dual-tone blue and black finish; the front seats offer decent lateral support and plush cushioning, while the rear floor remains flat thanks to the underfloor battery placement, complete with a middle headrest to comfortably accommodate three passengers.

Powertrain & Performance

Under the skin, the Emgrand PHEV is powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain pairing a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine with dual permanent magnet synchronous electric motors. The 1.5-litre petrol mill delivers a maximum output of 76 kW (approx. 103 PS); the electric drive motor churns out 114 kW (approx. 155 PS) and a peak torque of 339 Nm. Power is channelled to the front wheels via an E-CVT electronic continuously variable transmission. The official 0-100 km/h sprint is completed in 9.9 seconds, with a top speed of 175 km/h.

Energy is stored in an 11.3 kWh ternary lithium battery pack supplied by CATL, delivering a pure electric range of 61 km on the NEDC cycle. A full charge takes roughly 3.5 hours using a standard 220V domestic wall socket. With a 35-litre fuel tank, the total combined driving range on a full tank and full charge extends up to 705 km. Its official combined fuel consumption rating stands at 1.5 L/100 km under MIIT standards; in a depleted battery (charge-sustaining) state running in HEV mode, combined fuel consumption is around 5.1 L/100 km, noticeably lower than the petrol Emgrand's roughly 7.0 L/100 km. Drivers can toggle between three powertrain energy modes—EV (Pure Electric Priority), HEV (Hybrid), and SAVE (Battery Charge)—as well as three drive modes (ECO, NORMAL, SPORT), complemented by an adjustable regenerative braking setup.

CHS "Lianqing" Hybrid Technology

The core technological highlight of the Emgrand PHEV lies in the CHS (China Hybrid System) "Lianqing" plug-in hybrid system co-developed by Geely and Corun, marking Geely's first mass-production model to adopt this setup. Engineered as a power-split hybrid mechanism, it combines an internal combustion engine, dual permanent magnet synchronous motors, a Ravigneaux-type dual planetary gearset, and three clutches into a cohesive power-coupling unit. The CHS system functions similarly to Toyota's THS (Toyota Hybrid System) in both operational principle and real-world efficiency—utilising planetary gear sets for seamless power coupling and power splitting to keep both the engine and electric motors within their sweet spots of maximum efficiency, thereby maintaining low fuel consumption even under depleted battery conditions. Where it differs is that, to circumvent Toyota's patent barriers, the CHS system incorporates a more complex dual planetary gearset that enables a wider gear ratio spread, theoretically maintaining pure electric cruising at higher road speeds.

Chassis & Handling

Chassis-wise, the Emgrand PHEV rides on a suspension setup comprising front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion beam. Steering is handled by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system, complemented by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold. With the battery pack mounted low under the cabin floor, the suspension has been recalibrated compared to the petrol model, prioritising urban road comfort. The rear suspension translates road imperfections somewhat noticeably over rough surfaces, while overall NVH insulation remains modest.

Cabin & Equipment

Inside the cabin, the Emgrand PHEV is equipped with a 7.0-inch central colour touchscreen running the G-Netlink infotainment system, supporting satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth telephony, and multimedia playback. The instrument cluster adopts a semi-digital layout combining analogue dials with a central LCD multi-info display showing battery state-of-charge, driving range, and live energy flow diagrams.

In terms of convenience features, standard equipment across the range includes keyless entry with push-button start, a multifunction steering wheel (housing voice command, cruise control, and audio switches), electronic parking brake with Auto Hold, and automatic climate control. Higher-spec variants further add an electric sunroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and leather upholstery. Standard boot capacity stands at approximately 480 litres, though usable space is slightly compromised by an internal structure on the right; the rear backrests feature a 60:40 split-fold function to expand cargo capacity.

Safety & Driver Assistance

On the safety front, all variants of the Emgrand PHEV come equipped with Bosch's 9th-generation Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), integrating active safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and Traction Control System (TCS). Passive safety features include dual front airbags as standard across the range, with higher-spec models gaining front side airbags. A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and rear ISOFIX child seat anchor points are also standard across all variants.

In terms of advanced driver assistance, the Emgrand PHEV lacks Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities, offering only basic cruise control. Given its 2017 debut, this specification was competitive among mainstream PHEVs of its era, though it gradually fell behind newer rivals in subsequent years.

Market Performance & Reception

The Emgrand PHEV experienced a relatively muted commercial run. As Geely's pioneer plug-in hybrid, it initially drew notable interest across quota-restricted cities such as Shanghai during its late-2017 rollout, logging high enquiry volumes during its pre-sale phase from September to October. However, with intensifying rivalry from formidable segment competitors like the BYD Qin and Roewe e550/eRX5, the Emgrand PHEV struggled to achieve large-scale sales volume. Following the introduction of next-generation electrified models like the Emgrand L Hi·P, the original Emgrand PHEV was gradually phased out and officially ceased production by 2026.

Market feedback and owner reviews were somewhat mixed. Commendations centred on the innovative CHS hybrid architecture and impressive fuel economy under battery-depleted conditions—independent media testing with a full payload of four adults over a 250 km route recorded an average fuel consumption of 5.7 L/100 km, with regenerative braking delivering an extra 49 km of actual range over initial dashboard estimates. Its entitlement to free new energy vehicle license plates in quota-restricted cities also bolstered its overall value-for-money proposition. Industry analyses highlighted that the Emgrand PHEV proved cost-competitive in e-hailing fleet operations in cities like Shanghai, beating conventional petrol cars on both running costs and plate acquisition fees.

On the flip side, shortcomings centred on its relatively steep pricing, mediocre long-term build quality, and outdated tech features. Priced between RM129,800 and RM149,800 after subsidies, it carried a RM70,000 to RM80,000 premium over its petrol sibling, causing prospective buyers to hesitate despite purchase tax exemptions and plate savings. Furthermore, subsequent market reports of high-voltage battery glitches and shift jerks in the 3-speed DHT on successor models like the Emgrand L Hi·P cast a shadow over the broader Emgrand hybrid lineage.

In summary, as Geely's maiden foray into the plug-in hybrid arena, the Emgrand PHEV showcased commendable engineering ambition and forward-thinking vision, with its CHS power-split technical route filling a crucial gap for Chinese domestic brands at the time. Nevertheless, hampered by its legacy ICE-derived platform, high initial pricing, slow pace of subsequent iterations, and fierce market competition, the model ultimately failed to secure a market standing commensurate with its technical uniqueness in the domestic PHEV landscape.