Geely's new off-road SUV is strongly reminiscent of the Land Rover Defender in design, and under the hood it promises advanced plug-in hybrid technology.
Chinese automaker Geely is rapidly preparing the ground for the launch of the new Zhanjian 700, ambitiously described as a hardcore off-road SUV with artificial intelligence. Its exterior design is almost unmistakably inspired by the British Land Rover Defender, which is most evident in the rectangular headlights with round daytime running lights and the illuminated grille with a central logo. The visual affinity is continued by the robust plastic fender trim, the distinctive glazing shape, the two-tone rims, the contrasting white roof and the spare wheel mounted on the rear door.
The cabin also follows the recipe of robust prestige, as the first images reveal a massive gear lever and leather-wrapped handle. It is surrounded by high-quality switches and a dedicated row of buttons for overcoming difficult terrain, including chassis height control, reduction gear function (4L) and rear differential lock. With this model, Geely openly targets the prestigious SUV class, where it promises leading performance, although the interior and exterior give a strong sense of design deja vu.
The technical basis is based on an integrated chassis and an advanced all-wheel drive system, which uses a system of three electric motors to intelligently transfer power to the ground. Although the description suggests a purely electric vehicle, the doors on both sides of the rear wings strongly hint at a plug-in hybrid version, which is said to combine a 1,5- or 2,0-liter gasoline engine and a battery pack with a capacity of 70 kWh. Exact data on system power in kW (HP), torque in Nm and the official price in euros (EUR) remain unknown for now, but all details will be revealed at the China Motor Show next month.
