How long has it been since you saw a car manufacturer launch new fuel vehicles? New energy penetration rate breaks 60%, updating fuel vehicles seems unnecessary. But not all manufacturers are like this; fuel vehicles that stop updates are not accepted by consumers. True ace models still require upgrades.

Recently Geely Auto released official images of Xingyue L PLUS. The new car is officially positioned as a mid-large smart hybrid SUV, expected to be officially released on September 5. It is worth knowing that despite fuel vehicles becoming less popular, Xingyue L still maintained a stable performance of monthly sales exceeding 10,000. Then as an upgraded model, what is the prospect of Xingyue L PLUS?

What kind of car is Xingyue L PLUS?

Since it is called "PLUS", it conveys two messages. First, it has an inheritance relationship with the current Xingyue L; Second, it has been upgraded from the current model.

Xingyue L PLUS basically continues the design language of the current Xingyue L. The most iconic element on the front face is the large vertical waterfall grille, extensive use of chrome decorative elements, enhancing the overall premium feel. One can only say that Geely likes this vertical waterfall grille learned from Volvo.

From market performance, consumers indeed recognize this design. Xingyue L PLUS target users are still family users, pursuing steady, grand, premium, and its design style just fits this demand perfectly. This car might be planned for export in the future; this design fits well overseas too.

Regarding the difference between it and Xingyue L, there is indeed one. From the official images, it can be seen that the roof of Xingyue L PLUS has LiDAR, this suggests it might provide higher-order driving assistance functions, such as city NOA and full-scenario intelligent parking which are relatively rare on fuel vehicles.

The length, width, height of Xingyue L PLUS are 4955mm, 1960mm, 1769mm, wheelbase reaches 2900mm. Did not reach the mid-large SUV "length 5 meters, wheelbase 3 meters" standard, but obviously exceeds mainstream mid-size SUV. Internal space is expected to perform well.

The rear uses a through-type taillight, the recognition rate is relatively high. At the same time, from official images, it can also be seen that the new car provides "hubcap-style" wheels, there is also a special plaque at the D-pillar. This might mean it will provide some Prestige versions, Custom versions or similar models, used to strengthen the high-end attributes.

Dual Powertrains, But Not New Energy

Geely Auto's current focus has shifted to new energy. Xingyue L PLUS official positioning also emphasizes "Smart Hybrid", but in a strict sense, Xingyue L PLUS is not a new energy vehicle.

Xingyue L PLUS offers fuel and hybrid two powertrain choices. Among them, the fuel model is equipped with 2.0T turbocharged engine, maximum power reaches 213kW, 100km fuel consumption lowest is only 7.97L. As a large size SUV, this fuel consumption is relatively low. Of course, this is only official data, might be a bit higher in actual vehicle usage process.

In addition, Xingyue L PLUS also provided a hybrid version. However this hybrid is non-plug-in hybrid, expected to be equipped with 2.0T hybrid dedicated engine and 3DHT hybrid dedicated transmission. Engine maximum power reaches 160kW. This car focuses on low fuel consumption, while not wanting to bring range anxiety to users. If only from "fuel saving" angle, hybrid system is still a good choice.

Such power system is not complex, but quite practical. Fuel vehicle usage cost is high, but technology is mature, fault rate is low, consumers are more familiar. If users particularly care about usage cost, and don't want new energy vehicles, then can choose its hybrid version. It should be said, such product thinking is defensible, but Xingyue L PLUS needs to give a reasonable price.

Who is the target user?

The decline of fuel vehicles is a clearly visible fact. Many classic fuel vehicles we used to know quietly disappeared from the market. But from the other hand, 60% new energy vehicle penetration rate, also means there are still around 40% consumers who prioritized fuel vehicles.

China passenger car market has over 20 million units increment per year. Simply calculating, fuel vehicle annual market increment still around 8 million units. Alone taken out can rank third in all countries globally, second only to China and US, equivalent to two Japan automotive market sizes. This foundation is the core reason for Geely launching Xingyue L PLUS against the trend.

Currently Geely official has not yet announced more detailed parameter info for this car, such as interior and intelligence aspects. But its thinking is already very clear, what it wants to find is those who find charging inconvenient, or sensitive to range anxiety, while able to bear certain usage cost family users. For these users, fuel vehicle fuel consumption they can accept, but it is hard to accept frequent charging.

Of course, Xingyue L PLUS also needs to make up fuel vehicles' shortcomings outside usage cost, such as smart technology. Currently Geely official has not yet announced specific parameter info for this car, interior and intelligence also in confidentiality state. But from its self-equipped LiDAR point can see, this car in intelligence aspect expected to have good performance, not necessarily can compare with mainstream new energy vehicles, but in fuel vehicles it should have certain advantage.

In addition, Xingyue L PLUS also targeted another segment, that is overseas market. Currently on sale Xingyue L has already made good results overseas. In Russia it hangs Volga badge, in Korea hangs Renault badge, in Australia it is called Monjaro, in Malaysia it is "blueprint" for some models under Proton brand.

In overseas markets where new energy vehicles are not that popular, Xingyue L PLUS acceptance is higher, profit will also be higher, expected to become a continuous increment market. Now, Chinese automotive brands have entered the stage of harvesting overseas markets through technical licensing, whole vehicle export, etc.

Summary: Xingyue L PLUS is about to be announced in early September, its overall performance will exceed the existing Xingyue L. Of course, its selling price is also expected to be higher. Fuel vehicle market space indeed is constantly shrinking, but remaining cake is enough to support Xingyue L PLUS product lifecycle. Meanwhile, overseas market also has good prospects. If you currently are still not interested in new energy vehicles, then this car is worth paying attention to.