Cairo, Egypt - September 17, 2026 - 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.
About Geely Auto Group
Geely Auto Group is a leading global automotive company headquartered in Hangzhou, China. Part of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Geely Auto Group develops and manufactures passenger vehicles under the Geely, Lynk & Co, and Zeekr brands.With a strong focus on technology innovation, electrification, and sustainable mobility, Geely Auto Group operates world-class R&D centers and manufacturing facilities across China, Europe, and key international markets. The Group is committed to delivering safe, high-quality, and intelligent vehicles enabled by advanced technologies such as hybrid powertrains, full-electric architectures, smart connectivity, and autonomous driving systems.As a global company, Geely Auto Group continues to expand its international presence through strategic partnerships, localized operations, and industry-leading platforms. Geely strives to create mobility solutions that are greener, smarter, and more accessible, driving forward the future of sustainable transportation.
Media Contact
Company Name: Geely Auto International Corporation
Contact Person: Public Relations
Email:
Send EmailCountry: China
Website:
https://global.geely.com/
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.