Geely makes world's first methanol hybrid sedan

After producing vehicles that are powered by petrol, hybrid, and full electric powertrains, Geely became the world’s first manufacturer to make a sedan that is powered by a methanol hybrid powertrain.

The car in discussion here is the Methanol Hybrid Emgrand sedan which is underpinned by the brand’s B-segment Modular Architecture platform called BMA.

After being in development stages for a decade, Geely has finally began testing the Methanol Hybrid Emgrand in the northern Chinese province of Heilongjiang where the temperature can drop down to -40 degrees.

The extreme weather testing is being done to gauge the performance, durability, and the reliability of the Methanol Hybrid Emgrand.

 

Another reason why Geely is emphasising the extreme cold weather testing is because methanol-powered vehicles from the past were known to have problems with cold starts.

However, the company said that it is confident that the issue has been eliminated with its new NordThor Power hybrid technology which is powering the Methanol Hybrid Emgrand.

In fact, Geely claims that the Methanol Hybrid Emgrand can start and run even at temperatures way below freezing point.

The powertrain comprises a naturally aspirated 1.8-litre methanol engine that churns out 130 hp and 175 Nm of maximum torque, and an electric motor producing 134 PS and up to 320 Nm of torque.

Together, both the engine and the electric motor which are paired to a three-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) produce a combined system output of 364 PS and 495 Nm of torque.

Geely claims that the DHT gearbox provides increased fuel efficiency at low speeds by propelling the car only using electricity.

With the engine working only as a range-extender, the electric motor does not only power the wheels, but also provides instantaneous torque which will come in handy during acceleration and overtaking.

Consuming nine litres of fuel per 100 km, the Geely Emgrand Methanol Hybrid is capable of sprinting from standstill to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds, in case you’re wondering how its performance is.

While most manufacturers around the world are still meddling with electricity and Hydroven, Geely is currently the world’s largest developer and producer of methanol vehicles.

The company has already produced more than 20 methanol-powered vehicles in the past 17 years, but this is the first time the powertrain has gone into a sedan.  

Also read: Geely Emgrand launched in the Philippines