Geely KX11, has already been revealed in a few shadowy images, but China’s Auto Market Online has published some leaked photos that give us a better (if slightly low-resolution) look. The seven-seater crossover will ride on the Compact Modular Platform (CMA) jointly developed with Volvo, which also underpins the Xingyue, Xingrui/Preface and Volvo XC40.
But doesn’t the Chinese carmaker already
have a three-row crossover in its lineup, you ask? Yes, but the Haoyue/Okavango
is based on the Jiaji MPV and is thus cheaper to build, making it particularly
suited for developing markets in regions such as Southeast Asia. One notable
difference is that the KX11 is likely to ride on independent rear suspension,
whereas the Haoyue utilises a more rudimentary torsion beam.
The KX11’s more upmarket nature is
reflected in the exterior styling, which cribs more than a few design cues from
the Xingrui. The signature “expanding cosmos” grille has been, ahem, expanded
towards the edges, making space for a set of vertical slats. Framing this
grille are the slim L-shaped headlights and a bone-shaped air intake that is
mostly shielded by horizontal slats, enhanced by some tasteful chrome trim.
Also like the Xingrui, the KX11’s shoulder
line runs straight from head- to taillight, dispensing with Geely’s hitherto
trademark front fender bulge. The squared-off arches hide wheel sizes that
range from 18 to a whopping 20 inches in diameter. The rear end bears some
striking similarities to the Audi Q8, with angular full-width taillights and a
large diffuser, albeit without the fake exhaust tips.
The publication also revealed some
specifications to go with the pix. Despite being essentially a more
conventional SUV version of the coupé-style Xingyue, the KX11 is quite a bit
larger, with a length of 4,770 mm, a width of 1,895 mm, a height of 1,689 mm
and a wheelbase of 2,845 mm. Notably, even though the last figure is longer
than the Haoyue’s, the overall length is actually some ways shorter. Auto
Market Online says these numbers are for the five-seater model, so perhaps the
seven-seater will have a longer rear overhang.
According to the report, the KX11 will be
available with the Xingyue’s 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine in two
states of tune – 215 hp and 235 hp – and with an Aisin eight-speed automatic
gearbox. Also expected is a 1.5 litre turbo three-pot as a base model.
