Geely Auto launched the Galaxy Xingyao 6 EF on Tuesday at an event in Shenyang, Liaoning province. Geely calls it the world's first production methanol hybrid family car. EF stands for E-fuel. The regular Xingyao 6 (also translated as Starshine 6) is sold outside China as the Emgrand L EM-i, CarNewsChina notes.
Prices and range
There are three versions. Limited-time prices run from 76,800 yuan (about $11,440) to 96,800 yuan, and official guide prices from 86,800 to 106,800 yuan. The entry version has 130 km of CLTC electric range and the other two have 230 km. CarNewsChina lists LFP battery packs of 17 and 28.3 kWh.
Geely says combined range is about 1,250 km with a full methanol tank and a charged battery, or 1,880 km with a full gasoline tank. Refuelling takes about 3 minutes, according to CnEVPost.
The engine
The 1.5-litre engine (CarNewsChina gives the code BHE15-BFDM and 93 kW) reaches 48.15% thermal efficiency, which Geely says is the highest of any mass-produced methanol engine. It uses 350-bar direct injection and high-energy ignition so it can cold-start at close to −40°C. A sensor reads the methanol-to-gasoline ratio in real time and the engine adjusts to it. CarNewsChina says the electric motor makes 140 kW and drives through a single-speed DHT.
Fuel network and fleets
Geely Holding says China now has more than 1,400 methanol refuelling stations. Chairman Eric Li said in October that more than 6,000 Xingyao 6 EF sedans were already in service for ride-hailing, taxis and official use. The car is 4,806 mm long with a 2,756 mm wheelbase and a 609-litre trunk.