Geely Auto South Africa has expanded its local line-up with the introduction of the new Coolray, a compact SUV that enters one of the country’s busiest vehicle categories. The model arrives as part of the brand’s broader strategy to broaden its footprint in the domestic market, offering a combination of design, technology and practicality aimed at a wide range of buyers.
Positioned as a challenger in the compact SUV segment, the Coolray has a presence in markets across Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa and Latin America. Its local introduction marks a further step in the company’s growth on the continent.
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Under the bonnet, every derivative in the range uses a 1,5-litre turbo-charged direct-injection petrol engine, a four-cylinder unit that delivers 128 kW at 5 500 r/min and 290 Nm of torque from 2 000 r/min to 3 500 r/min. This is paired with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission that directs power to the front wheels.
The powertrain allows the Coolray to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 7,6 seconds, while combined fuel consumption is listed at 6,5 l/100 km. Drivers can choose between Eco, Comfort, Sport and Adaptive driving modes to adjust the vehicle’s responses to their preferences or road conditions.
The suspension setup includes MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion-beam arrangement at the rear, with Electric Power Steering and ventilated disc brakes front and rear contributing to the driving experience. The Coolray rides on a 2 600 mm wheelbase and offers 161 mm of ground clearance, with overall dimensions of 4 380 mm in length, 1 795 mm in width and 1 609 mm in height.
The exterior design features sharp body lines, a muscular shoulder profile and a contrasting two-tone roof on the Vanguard and Vertex derivatives. At the front, a vertical-slat grille sits between aerodynamic fins and LED headlamps, while the rear includes twin-pod LED taillamps and a sculpted bumper. The flagship Vertex model adds a motorsport-inspired rear wing with side fins and ‘S’ badging. Exterior colour options include White, Grey, Silver, Green and Red.
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Inside, the cabin is built around a 14,6-inch high-definition infotainment touchscreen and an 8,8-inch digital instrument cluster. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range, along with Bluetooth and USB ports.
Higher specification levels add wireless smartphone charging, multi-colour ambient lighting, power-adjustable seating, a panoramic sunroof and an electric tailgate. The vehicle seats five occupants and provides 330 litres of luggage space, expanding to 1 054 litres with the rear seats folded.
Safety equipment includes Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill Hold Control, Hill Descent Control, Tyre Pressure Monitoring and ISOFIX anchor points.
The body structure uses high-strength steel, and the Vanguard and Vertex models come with six crash bags. The Vertex further includes a Level 1 ADAS package with Adaptive Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Intelligent High Beam Control and Traffic Jam Assist. A 540-degree panoramic camera system is fitted to the Vanguard and Vertex.
The range is offered in three derivatives: the entry-level Nova at R369 900, the mid-range Vanguard at R399 900 and the flagship Vertex at R429 900. The Nova includes alloy wheels, LED lighting, keyless entry, a multifunction steering wheel, the 14,6-inch infotainment display, digital instrumentation, automatic climate control and the core safety package.
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The Vanguard adds 18-inch gloss-black alloy wheels, perforated leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, ambient lighting, a six-speaker audio system and the 540-degree camera system. The Vertex tops the range with a panoramic sunroof, electric tailgate, wireless charging and the full ADAS suite, along with the distinctive rear wing.
Jateen Daya, Head of Product and Strategy at Geely Auto South Africa, said the brand’s local success had been built on understanding customer needs and delivering products that meet those expectations. He noted that the Coolray had proven itself globally and that local motorists could now experience a vehicle offering performance, refinement and technology at a competitive level within its segment.
Jacqueline Kruger, Head of Marketing at Geely Auto South Africa, described the Coolray as an important addition to the brand’s local portfolio, adding that it was well placed to appeal to a broad range of consumers. She said the model had been developed for buyers seeking more from their SUV, combining visual appeal, driving enjoyment and technology that supports everyday use.
All prices include value-added tax and are covered by the Geely Care+ package, which includes a 5-year or 150 000 km vehicle warranty, a 5-year or 150 000 km engine warranty, a 5-year or 50 000 km service plan and five-year unlimited roadside assistance. The Coolray is also available through Geely Finance with a Guaranteed Future Value of 67%, subject to terms and conditions.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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