Geely is looking to attract a cohort of buyers who don’t want an SUV when it launches its new plug-in hybrid medium sedan, the Emgrand L EM-i, early next year. According to the Chinese car maker’s local boss of product planning and marketing, Andrew Tuitahi, “There are absolutely buyers who don’t want to drive an SUV. They want something that’s a little bit more conventional.”

Australian pricing is still to be confirmed for the Emgrand, a mid-size sedan aimed squarely at Toyota Camry and BYD Seal 6 buyers. But Geely has offered the clearest indication yet of what buyers can expect when it lands in local dealerships next year.

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The Emgrand L EM-i sits on a variation of Geely’s EM-i plug-in hybrid system (also underpinning the just-launched Starray EM-i) that combines a 82kW/136Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 120kW/210Nm electric motor driving the front wheels. Total system outputs are rated at 185kW and 260Nm, according to Geely, good enough for 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.96 seconds.

An 18.4kWh battery pack is claimed to deliver around 80km of pure electric driving (based on WLTP testing protocols). Total driving range when combining electric and petrol is said to be over 1000km. Geely says overseas models can take DC charging at a maximum rate of 35kW, which would see the 18.4kWh battery replenished in a touch over 30 minutes.

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Tuitahi said Geely’s decision to bring the medium sedan to Australia followed “a lot of research” and that “the response from customers is positive. The response from dealers is positive. There is a buyer profile demographic that is finding sedans appealing.”

He added, “We think there is an opportunity for a more traditionally styled sedan with high technology and alternate fuel offerings.”

The Geely Emgrand L EM-i is due to launch in Australia in the first half of 2027.