New Geely Binyue ‘Super Power Edition’ And Face-lifted Emgrand Revealed In China

Revealed in China recently were both the new Geely Binyue 'Super Power Edition' (left) and the upcoming 2025MY face-lifted Emgrand, or better known to you and us as the Proton X50 and S70.

Revealed in China over the past two weeks were two new Geely models that might seem familiar to many Malaysians like us and you. The first of which is the new Geely Binyue ‘Super Power Edition’, followed more recently by the face-lifted fourth-generation Emgrand.

The former was officially released by Geely into its Chinese home market, whilst the latter was revealed through recent filings made by the automaker made with  the Chinese ministry of industry and information technology (MIIT). Clearly, having studied both models closely, we’re certain you’d be more content with their Proton-badged twins instead.

This new variant of the Binyue adopts a nat-asp 1.5-litre 4-cyl petrol lump and the choice between 5-speed MT or CVT transmission instead.

Starting with the Binyue which, aptly, you and I know as the base of the  recently revised Proton X50 RC,  this new ‘Super Power Edition' naming is a far cry from its actual intent. In reality, this new variant of the Chinese market Binyue model is positioned as a more sedate and cost-friendly offering compared to the higher-specced Binyue Pro - also marketed as the Coolray - that slots above it.

That’s because underneath, the Binyue Super Power Edition adopts a 1.5-litre 4-cyl petrol heart paired with either a 5-speed manual or 8-speed CVT automatic transmission choices. Geely weren’t clear about the former’s aspiration, but did boast its 126 PS and 152 NM outputs, which is lower than the triple-cylindered and turbocharged  Binyue Pro variant’s meatier 181 PS and 290 NM figures.

Assuming this being a naturally aspirated mill with an extra cylinder, its only upside here are its claims of having better fuel efficiency. In fact, Geely touts this nat-asp and CVT powertrain can sip as low as 6.35 litres/100 KM, whereas the manual version bettered that slightly at 6.85 litres/100 KM. However, do keep in mind that Chinese test cycles for things as such are very – VERY – lenient.

This variant of the Binyue is also much more 'basic' in terms of kit. Note the smaller infotainment touchscreen and analogue dials in the instrument panel.

That aside, this variant’s nature as a bargain basement offering of sorts is also evident with its simplified exterior and interior styling, as well as the ‘basic’ kit and amenities laced on board. The latter includes analogue instrument dials and gauges, as well as a smaller 8-inch infotainment touchscreen interface.

As for price, the Binyue Super Power Edition is expected to launch in China next month with a starting price tag of RMB 60,000, which sees it cost RMB 15,000 less than the BInyue Pro variant mentioned. Whilst this is certainly the most cost-effective version of the  Binyue yet, we’re certain many of you would prefer the Proton X50 RC instead.

Recently updated 2024 Proton X50 RC that just launched earlier this month.

As a refresher, Proton recently launched the updated 2024MY X50 RC range earlier this month, and it sees the base 1.5T Standard variant offer a much peppier 1.5-litre 3-cyl turbo petrol mill rated at 150 PS and 226 NM that’s also mated with a 7-speed DCT automatic, plus a richer kit list that also includes a larger 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and more.

Perhaps the same sentiment applies to the recently face-lifted Geely Emgrand saloon which, based on images filed with China’s MIIT, indicates that it has been given a mild nip-tuck. The most obvious tweaks are visible up front through the updated waterfall-styled chrome grille, which is flanked by restyled LED headlights featuring redesigned LED DRLs.

While MIIT filings also show the refreshed fourth-gen Emgrand for China gaining a slew of optional premium kit plus a range of new wheels measuring 15- to 17-inches in diameter, what remains unchanged here is the Emgrand’s native powertrain choice – a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated 4-cyl petrol lump outputting 127 PS and paired with either a 5-speed manual or CVT automatic.

In contrast, its Proton-made S70 twin, which debuted late last year, adopts the same 1.5-litre turbo and 7-speed DCT setup from the X50 RC range. Specifically, all S70 variants are driven by the MPI version of which, and it offers clearly peppier outputs of 150 PS and 226 NM instead – peppy enough numbers to prompt Proton into developing a racecar version too!

No interior images have surfaced from these MIIT filings. However, based on comparisons between the current Chinese market Emgrand model’s innards versus the Proton S70’s cabin indicates that the latter Malaysian-made twin appears more up-market and more richly kitted too. Clearly, Proton’s redux of this Chinese saloon arguably stands more desirable.

Well, that’s just our take on things. What do you folks reckon then? Would you agree that national carmaker Proton has done a decent job with its ‘re-invetion’ of the Binyue and Emgrand through their respective X50 and S70 offshoots? Share your take in the comments below, as well as our social media pages… 

Source: CarNewsChina (Link 1, Link 2)