Geely Monjaro EM-i Sets New GUINNESS WORLD RECORD in Sahara, Showcasing Proven Performance in Extreme Conditions

Cairo, Egypt, Sept. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Geely Auto announced on Tuesday that the Monjaro EM-i had earned a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the “Fastest crossing of the Black and White Desert (Sahara) by a plug-in hybrid powered production SUV” at the Monjaro EM-i Product Capability & Core Tech Deep Dive event. The record was set over a continuous 188.6-kilometre route through extreme heat and demanding desert terrain, marking a milestone in the Monjaro EM-i’s global launch journey and demonstrating its proven performance in extreme conditions.

A Record-Breaking Crossing: 188.6 Kilometres Across the Sahara

During the continuous crossing, the Monjaro EM-i travelled from the dark volcanic landscape of Egypt’s Black Desert to the chalk-white terrain of the White Desert. Airborne dust and unpredictable levels of grip placed sustained demands on the vehicle’s performance, control and durability throughout the crossing.

The Monjaro EM-i was put through five professional challenges designed to push its capabilities to the limit: extreme handling and stability, consecutive steep-slope climbs, cross-axle recovery, ride comfort over rough terrain and acceleration at a low state of charge.

Proven Technologies: Five Tests in Extreme Conditions

Built on the GEA Evo, Geely’s native new-energy vehicle architecture designed for different energy systems, markets and environments, the Monjaro EM-i also uses GEEA 3.0, whose “central brain plus zonal control” system coordinates the powertrain and e-AWD System to respond within milliseconds to changing terrain and grip conditions.

The Monjaro EM-i debuts Geely’s e-AWD Intelligent Electric AWD System which can intelligently adjust the front-to-rear torque distribution anywhere between 100:0, with all torque directed to the front wheels, to an even 50:50 split between front and rear wheels. The e-AWD system works in tandem with Geely’s traction-control technology to reduce wheel slip by up to 50%, helping the vehicle maintain traction even during steep climbs and improve cross-axle recovery.

Across gravel, ruts and hard-rock sections, the Continuous Damping Control suspension adjusts up to 50 times per second, with a response time of 20 milliseconds. The EM-i Super Hybrid system combines a 1.5TD hybrid-specific engine with an electric drive system to deliver up to 250 kW power and 667 N·m torque, enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.83 seconds.

The intelligent power management system coordinated propulsion and electricity generation to maintain responsive performance during the low-state-of-charge acceleration challenge, while full-domain thermal management controlled temperatures across the engine, battery, electric motor and power electronics to sustain output in extreme heat.

The Road to Global Markets: Building International Momentum

The Sahara programme brought together around 20 media outlets and influencers from Egypt, the UAE, Kazakhstan, Mexico and Peru for the Monjaro EM-i’s record-setting crossing. Participants witnessed and experienced first-hand how the vehicle’s powertrain, e-AWD system and suspension responded to sustained high-load driving, rapidly changing terrain, and extreme heat environments.

Geely Auto's overseas sales surged 205% year-on-year to over 110,094 vehicles in August, setting multiple all-time highs and sustaining an uninterrupted eight-month growth trajectory of both month-over-month and year-over-year momentum. Building on this momentum, the Monjaro EM-i will make its next international appearance at the Paris Motor Show in October. Through its continued international rollout, Geely Auto aims to bring the Monjaro EM-i’s efficient hybrid technology and refined driving experience to more customers worldwide.

Geely Auto International Corporation Public Relations
Yang.Du7@geely.com