Starts at -50°C! Deep Dive into Leapmotor L PLUS Winter Test Spy Photos

Flagship Midsize SUV Evolves Further: Hybrid Powertrain, LiDAR, and Class-Defying Dimensions Emerge

Design: Enhanced Luxury, LiDAR Already Mounted

From the winter test spy photos officially released by GEELY, the Geely MonjaroL PLUS is no mere facelift — it's a comprehensive upgrade targeting the premium segment. The front fascia retains the Geely MonjaroL's wide-body presence, but the vertical-slat grille grows larger, complemented by full-coverage chrome trim for stronger visual impact; chrome edging has also been added to the front bumper's side air ducts, elevating detail refinement. Crucially — every spotted test vehicle clearly features a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor, positioned identically to the current Geely MonjaroL Intelligent Driving Edition. Yet, combined with official registration data and GEELY's intelligent driving technology roadmap, its advanced driver-assistance capabilities are expected to cover urban NOA scenarios — not just highway navigation.

Powertrain: Dual Paths — Hybrid Specs Revealed for First Time

The Geely MonjaroL PLUS offers both conventional gasoline and hybrid powertrains — with specifications disclosed for the first time. The gasoline variant uses a 2.0T engine delivering peak output of 213 kW, top speed of 210 km/h, and WLTC fuel consumption of 7.97–8.15 L/100 km. The hybrid version pairs a dedicated 2.0T hybrid engine with a 3DHT dedicated hybrid transmission; the engine alone produces 160 kW and enables a top speed of 190 km/h. Notably, official figures for motor output, system total power, battery capacity, and all-electric range remain undisclosed — only the emphasis on 'low fuel consumption' is confirmed. Its ability to achieve single-attempt cold starts at -50°C further validates robust thermal management and starter-stop system engineering.

Intelligence: LiDAR Standard Across Lineup, Urban NOA Likely

Although official interior images haven't been released, the standard pre-installation of LiDAR across all trims sends a clear signal: the Geely MonjaroL PLUS' intelligent driving hardware foundation far surpasses today's Geely MonjaroL. Drawing parallels with Geely Galaxy OS and NOA algorithm development timelines, the new model is expected to debut a higher-generation NOA system supporting mapless urban navigation-assisted driving. However, exact feature availability, reliance on HD maps, and city rollout schedules remain unconfirmed rumors at this stage.

Space & Specifications: Class-Defying Dimensions, New Benchmark for Midsize SUVs

Dimensions represent the most visible leap for the Geely MonjaroL PLUS: 4955 × 1960 × 1769 mm in length, width, and height, with a wheelbase of 2900 mm — surpassing the Geely MonjaroL (4770 × 1895 × 1689 mm, wheelbase 2845 mm) across all metrics. In its five-door, five-seat layout, rear legroom and shoulder room are expected to improve significantly. Wheel options include 20- or 21-inch variants — one notably featuring a bold, densely-spoked 'pancake' design reinforcing flagship character. The full-width taillight remains, though internal optics appear smoother, and the rear chrome trim area expands, collectively lifting luxury perception toward the ¥300,000-tier segment.

Pricing & Launch: Second Half Debut, Positioning Pushes Higher

GEELY has yet to announce the Geely MonjaroL PLUS' pricing or exact launch date, only confirming an anticipated second-half 2026 release. Given its class-defying dimensions, standard LiDAR hardware, hybrid powertrain, and positioning as 'GEELY's all-new flagship midsize SUV', industry consensus expects a starting price above ¥180,000 — with top trims potentially approaching ¥250,000. Should final pricing land within this range, it would directly challenge core joint-venture rivals like the HIGHLANDER, EdgeL, and Advancier.

Conclusion: Not a Replacement — A Game-Changer

The Geely MonjaroL PLUS isn't a routine model update — it's a strategic move. Its hard proof of -50°C cold starts validates GEELY's engineering prowess under extreme conditions; its LiDAR integration, 2900-mm wheelbase, and dual-powertrain strategy establish multi-dimensional superiority over joint-venture midsize SUVs. While interior execution, intelligent driving software experience, and real-world hybrid fuel economy remain pending, the available spy photos and specs already reveal full potential to become 'China's new flagship midsize SUV'. The true test begins at delivery — this coming second half of 2026.

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