“Our approach? Designing the car around the customer, trying to satisfy all their requests.” Pino Nicola Pira, Exterior Design Director at Geely, describes the EX5 for the first time, the electric model with which the Chinese manufacturer is making its debut on the Italian market and which, he assures us, “will be the first of a long series.” But how can it stand out from all its Eastern and other competitors? “We reject the idea of aggressive lines and focus on welcoming design. We place great importance on the interior, which must connect those inside with the outside, and we do this by using large glass surfaces and avoiding very high belt lines. We pamper the driver and passengers with just the right amount of technology and quality materials.”
In fact, the EX5 stands out for its clean appearance, with soft lines and details that evoke a minimalist, understated style. The front has an almost completely closed grille in the center and integrates LED headlights, while the rear has a full-width light strip, in line with the current trend: “The inspiration for the headlights came from observing the gaze of the tiger, which in China is synonymous with power but also good luck,” continues Pira. A strong feature, therefore, but without going overboard: “The mission of these models is to win over as wide an audience as possible, and we will do so with the right proportions (it is 4.6 meters long, ed.) accompanied by great interior space.”
When the doors open, drivers are greeted by a mix of soft-touch plastics, satin aluminum inserts, and eco-friendly fabric upholstery that convey a sense of quality. At the center of the dashboard is a large 15.4-inch display from which all the model’s functions can be controlled. “It’s the EX5’s command center and contains features for both the driver and passengers. A second, smaller horizontal screen (10.2 inches) has been chosen for the instrumentation, which displays all the essential driving information,” continues Piro. The flat floor increases comfort for rear seat passengers, while the trunk is adjustable to two heights and has a large compartment for storing charging cables. “We are here to stay, and we have a global design language that will appeal to many tastes. This experience comes from our knowledge of all our brands: from Volvo to Lynk&Co to Lotus,” concludes Piro.
