Value for money seems to be more important than ever when it comes to buying a budget car – being affordable doesn’t always mean it has to go without the nicer things in life.
Geely South Africa, the Chinese automotive giant that also bought Swedish carmaker Volvo two years ago, has done just that with the limited edition MK2 Limited.

Boasting a long list of comfort and luxury features, the MK2 Limited – with restricted numbers assigned to the local market – builds on the success of its standard MK2 stable mate with the same impressive technical and performance features.

Chinese car manufacturers are now looking up to Geely after domestic sales and export figures have been climbing steadily over the past year while the rest of the market has been treading water, and some even loosing ground.

“Our products are fast becoming better – better performance, better safety and most of all better value for money,” says Henri Meistre, Managing Director of Geely South Africa.

The MK2 Limited is powered by a fuel efficient 1 498cc DOHC 16V engine delivering 69kW and 128Nm, coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels on to a top speed of  165 km/h. At an average consumption of 7,3ℓ/100km, the 45-litre fuel tank allows a single trip of well over 600km between filling stations. This is great news for those who wish to make the great holiday trek to the coast this festive season.

In MK format the “warm hatch” is already available as the MK 1.5GL as well as the MK2 in GL and GT guise, with a host of standard features not available in the previous MK range making it a true driver’s car for the budget conscious entry level market.

The Limited model, which boasts even more added value due to extensive additional features, comes full-house with all the extras expected in a car in a much higher price range, including a 3-year / 100 000km warranty with AA Roadside Assistance. These comprise a host of safety, security and luxury features including:

•    Power Steering
•    Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
•    Electric Windows
•    Central Locking
•    Air-conditioning
•    Radio/CD player with built-in MP3/USB ports
•    Alloy Wheels
•    Driver’s Airbag, and
•    Reverse Radar for parking assistance.

The MK2 1.5 GL Limited adds customised leather interior, a sport tuned exhaust system, lowered suspension and vinyl decals to distinguish the car from the rest of the range, at a mere R109 990 for the full monty.

“The MK2 was specifically upgraded for the South African market, and is in high demand as we were only assigned a limited number of these outstanding value for money offerings,” says Meistre.

Geely South Africa, who also opened its own state of the art Research and Development Centre at its head office in Midrand, identified a demand for a car that offers “a bit more”, but at outstanding value for money.

“That is what the MK2 offers,” says Meistre, adding that the Limited Edition model is available from each of the 35 Geely approved dealers countrywide.
Geely SA also distributes the DFSK range of pick-ups, panel vans and minibuses, and apart from the MK and MK2, also the Geely LC and LCX range.

All Geely models have optional service plans of 2 years/60 000km, 3 years/90 000km, or 4 years/120 000km.