Geely EX5 local testing wraps up

ADHERING to its promise of delivering vehicles suited the Australia’s tough and unforgiving driving conditions, Geely Auto has undertaken an extensive evaluation program for its electric midsize SUV EX5, including tweaked suspension tuning to enhance the driving experience on our roads.

Suspension and advanced driver assistance system tuning were the primary focus of Geely’s Australian calibration program, the 12-month-long evaluation schedule working to “understand what Aussies want in a new car and how they use their vehicles every day”, says Geely.

“Geely is extremely proud of the work the Australian team has done to make the Geely EX5 fit-for-purpose for the local market,” said Geely Auto Australia head Li Lei.

“We now have a great understanding of what Australian car consumers need in a vehicle, how they use it and what features they love.”

Mr Lei said one key aspect of the program was to ensure the Geely EX5 suspension was properly tuned to Australian roads with unique characteristics, including the coarse chip seal surfaces that create a rougher ride, the long-distance highways with undulating stretches, and the suburban streets dotted with speed bumps and roundabouts.

He said the result is a “fine-tuned suspension that perfectly balances the needs of Australian drivers, refining the setup to be composed and sure-footed, without compromising comfort or driver control behind the wheel”.

“We wanted to ensure the car offered a great experience for Australians and these adjustments will deliver a smoother ride over rough surfaces, improved stability for long-distance journeys, and the durability to handle variable loads — all while maintaining the comfort, confidence and reliability consumers expect,” he added.

The EX5 uses revised Macpherson independent front suspension and multi-link independent suspension on the rear axle.

On the ADAS front, the local Geely Auto development team worked to review and benchmark the various systems of the EX5 against unnamed competitors. Safety technology features tweaked for local conditions include lane-keep assist (LKA), traffic sign information recognition (TSI), and driver monitoring.

The technologies join an extensive array of safety systems fitted as standard to Australian Geely EX5 models, including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, evasive manoeuvre assist, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and seven airbags.

The new Geely EX5 is expected to be priced around $45,000 before on-roads and will have 430km of battery range.

Like the related Leapmotor C10, the Geely EX5 is expected to be front-wheel-driven only.

Locally imported models are expected to offer a single 160kW/320Nm electric motor, 60.2kWh LFP battery pack, and 11kW AC or 100kW DC charging capabilities.

The Geely EX5 measures 4615mm long, 1901mm wide, and 1670mm tall. It rides on a 2750mm wheelbase and tips the scale at close to 1700kg. Cargo space is listed at 461 litres.

Based on overseas specification, the EX5 is expected to feature as standard: 19-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, keyless entry, a panoramic glass roof, electric boot, a 15.4-inch touchscreen media system with sat nav, connected services and expected smartphone mirroring tech, 16-speaker Flyme sound system, a 10.0-inch driver info screen, head-up display, dual-zone climate control, and electrically adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation and massage functions.