Geely Boyue SUV benefits from Volvo makeover
The Chinese car maker is on track with an SUV that leverages the inspiration of former Volvo designer Peter Horbury
Geely once epitomised all that was wrong with Chinese cars, but these days it seems it can do no wrong. The Hong Kong listing of Geely Automobile Holdings has more than doubled in value over the last year, and at the end of September the British Bloodhound supersonic car project announced the company as its major sponsor.
This progress has been built on a slew of new products. Last year’s GC9 saloon went on to be named the 2016 China Car of the Year in an awards ceremony at the Guangzhou Auto Show. It was a bold departure from the company’s older and smaller generic looking products thanks to former Volvo designer Peter Horbury, who now heads Geely’s design studios. This new direction has continued with the Boyue, GS and GL, which all launched this year.
With prices starting at under 100,000 yuan and the top-of-the-range going for 158,700 yuan, the car is a steal
Geely’s new spiralled grille helps lend the Boyue a reasonably distinctive look. However, the front end of the mid-sized SUV seems to work better than the rear. We tested the top of the range Luxury front-wheel-drive version – a four-wheel-drive is also available.
Open the door in the dark and a Geely logo is projected onto the ground, giving the car a dash of panache. Inside it is a similar story, with generally good quality materials. While perhaps not to everyone’s taste, the brushed aluminium look trim on the dashboard helps lift the design. The handlebars on the central tunnel between the front seats are one of the more unique features. However, the catch on the central compartment doesn’t feel that solid. Chinese design elements can be seen with the G-shaped grid pattern over the speakers on the doors. There are a total of three 12V power outlets: one in the centre tunnel cubby hole, the other in the rear below the air ventilation and finally one in the boot.
Rear passengers get decent head and legroom, and on the folding armrest there is further brushed aluminium effect on the compartment, which doubles as a drinks holder. The floors and sides of the boot are impressively sturdy. Thanks to the skylight sunroof, the cabin is light and airy but the flimsy feeling thin material cover is a let down.
For the Chinese market, two engines are available. There is an older 2-litre unit only available with six-speed manual transmission, and then there is 1.8 turbo engine. The manual version gets the same engine as used in the GC9 with 120kW of power, while the six-speed dual-clutch version gets the up rated 135kW unit. For the Middle East market, a 2.4 litre is offered in lieu of the 1.8T.
