Geely’s new E5 range arrives with bold design and smart electric tech, signalling a fresh era for South Africa’s next-generation mobility. Picture Credits: scmp.com
By Aisha Zardad
South Africa – Geely Auto has officially unveiled the all-new Geely E5 and E5 EM-i in South Africa, marking a major milestone in the brand’s global new-energy strategy. The all-electric E5 and the plug-in hybrid E5 EM-i bring Geely’s latest intelligent mobility technologies to local roads, offering South African drivers a blend of advanced engineering, premium comfort, and exceptional value.
As part of Geely’s global push into next-generation electrification, the new E5 range reflects the brand’s mission to deliver refined, intelligent, and accessible mobility — a promise that resonates strongly in South Africa, where consumers are seeking greener solutions without compromising performance or safety.
Geely E5: All-Electric Performance Meets Everyday Practicality: Available in Aspire and Apex trims, the Geely E5 presents a confident modern design with generous space. Measuring 4,615 × 1,901 × 1,670 mm on a 2,750 mm wheelbase, it offers exceptional cabin room and a large cargo area of 461 litres (expandable to 1,877 litres) — ideal for families, professionals, and adventure seekers.
Under the skin, a next-generation battery system and highly integrated 11-in-1 electric drive unit deliver strong and refined performance.
- Battery: 60.22 kWh
- Range: 430 km (Aspire) / 410 km (Apex) WLTP
- Power: 160 kW & 320 N·m
- Top Speed: 175 km/h
- Elk Test: 78 km/h (segment-leading)
With rapid 1.8C fast charging, the E5 can recharge from 30% to 80% in just 20 minutes, while V2L and V2V functions add practical utility for camping, emergencies, or powering devices on the go.
Inside, the E5 embraces a porcelain-inspired global aesthetic. Standard exterior colour is Snowy White with a calming Dark Blue cabin, while optional metallic finishes and larger 19-inch alloys (Apex) allow for elevated personal expression. The design has already earned global acclaim, including the Red Dot Design Award, A’ Design Award, IDA Gold, and MUSE Platinum.
Luxury Space & Comfort: Raising the Benchmark in Its Class: With a class-leading 67.2% space utilisation ratio and a vast 4.03 sqm interior, the E5 offers superior cabin comfort. Rear passengers enjoy generous headroom and up to 1,005 mm of legroom, while thoughtful storage reaches a record-setting 33 compartments throughout the cabin.
Premium comfort features include:
- Ventilated & massaging front seats
- Motorised leg-rest for front passenger (Apex)
- Dual reclining rear seats (30°/35°)
- Three-tier trunk layout
- 51-litre dry-wet separation compartment
- Pull-out second-row storage module
This is an interior designed for long journeys, family travel, and modern lifestyles.
GEA Platform: Smarter, Safer, More Efficient: The E5 is built on the sophisticated GEA Global New Energy Architecture, integrating space innovation, energy management, safety, AI, and high-performance driving into one unified system.
The advanced 11-in-1 electric drive system leads its class in power density, efficiency, and cooling performance. Tested for more than one million kilometres, it operates with high reliability and ultralow noise — delivering just 68.3 dB at 120 km/h, among the quietest in its segment.
Its Short Blade Battery undergoes six extreme safety tests, including seawater immersion, freezing, crushing, underbody impact, and open flame exposure, earning top-level safety ratings with no smoke, fire, or explosion.
Next-Generation Intelligent Cabin: The Geely E5 offers a seamless digital environment powered by a 7nm processor and Flyme Auto’s fluid operating system.
Key highlights include:
- 15.4-inch HD touchscreen
- 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster
- 13.8-inch HUD
- Four-screen integrated interface
- Flyme Sound 1000W audio with 16 speakers (Apex)
The Flyme Sound system delivers boundary-pushing acoustic performance, offering theatre-grade richness through its 16-speaker layout and 1,000W amplifier — including headrest speakers for true immersion.
World-Class Safety Credentials: The Geely E5 has secured dual five-star safety ratings from Euro NCAP and ANCAP — a first for Geely — proving its global compliance across more than 100 markets.
Advanced driver-assistance technologies include:
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Intelligent & Adaptive Cruise Control (ICC + ACC)
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
- Door-Open Warning
- 360° safety architecture
Crash testing, including the demanding 50 km/h centre-pole test, confirms exceptional passenger protection and battery safety.
Geely E5 EM-i: South Africa’s First Purpose-Built Hybrid SUV in Its Class – Alongside the EV, Geely introduced the E5 EM-i, the first model in its segment designed from the ground up as a plug-in hybrid. It delivers pure electric driving when desired, petrol efficiency when needed, and a seamless blend of both at all times.
Engineered around Geely’s EM-i system, it offers an EV-like drive with the convenience of long-range capability. This positions the EM-i as an exceptional value proposition in the growing hybrid SUV market.
Technology & Performance: Hybrid power is delivered through:
- 1.5L four-cylinder petrol engine: 73 kW, 125 N·m
- 11-in-1 electric drive unit: 160 kW, 262 N·m
- Total range: Up to 943 km
- Battery: 18.4 kWh LFP
- Charging: AC (6.6 kW) & DC (30 kW)
- DC charge: 30%–80% in 20 minutes
Driving Modes:
- Pure EV
- Hybrid
- Power Mode
V2L capability up to 6 kW turns the EM-i into a mobile power source for work, camping, or emergencies.
Design Excellence: The EM-i features a bold front fascia, advanced LED lighting with 264 light beads, a sleek 0.288 cd drag coefficient, and a dramatic 2,240 mm full-width rear lightbar.
Inside, the “Golden Triangle” display setup — 15.4-inch touchscreen, 10.2-inch cluster, and HUD (Apex) — creates a luxurious, intuitive cabin with smartphone-like fluidity.
Comfort features include ergonomic seating, long rear cushions, 1,200 mm interior height, and more than 30 smart storage spaces.
EM-i Variant Highlights
E5 EM-i Aspire
- Price: R599,999
- WLTP Range: 943 km
- Performance: 0–100 km/h in 8s
- Features: V2L, V2V, 18″ wheels, HD displays, Cruise Control
E5 EM-i Apex
- Price: R679,999
- Performance: 0–100 km/h in 8.1s
- Upgrades: Sunroof, ambient lighting, head-up display, 16-speaker Flyme audio, 19″ wheels
Every EM-i purchase includes a wallbox charger + R5,000 in free public charging.
Geely Care+: Full Peace of Mind: All models come backed by Geely’s comprehensive Care+ programme:
- Vehicle Warranty: 6-year / 150,000 km
- Battery Warranty: 8-year / 200,000 km
- Service Plan:
- E5 EM-i: 5-year / 75,000 km
- E5: 6-year / 120,000 km
- Roadside Assistance: 5-year / unlimited
Supported by a national dealer network and local parts centre, Geely Care+ ensures premium support and long-term confidence for every customer.
