Geely Beauty Leopard I gallery (2003–2009)
The first generation Geely Beauty Leopard is a compact sports coupe recognized as China's first domestic sports car, featuring distinctive styling, an in-car karaoke system, and frugal engines.
The Geely Beauty Leopard compact sports coupe, known in China as the Meirenbao, was manufactured between 2003 and 2009 and holds historical significance as the first mass-produced domestic sports car in China. Developed with design styling support from Daewoo engineers, the 2+2 two-door coupe drew visual inspiration from prominent Japanese sports cars of the era such as the Toyota Celica and Honda Integra. Dimensions included a length of 4,110 mm and a wheelbase of 2,440 mm, featuring a lightweight front-wheel-drive chassis with a MacPherson front strut and multi-link rear suspension setup. Power was supplied by fuel-efficient four-cylinder petrol engines, starting with 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter units based on Toyota designs producing 86 and 94 horsepower, followed later by a 1.8-liter engine delivering 113 horsepower. Transmission offerings comprised a 5-speed manual gearbox and an optional 4-speed automatic transmission. Inside, the vehicle gained global media notoriety for featuring an integrated in-car karaoke system complete with a microphone input as standard equipment. Additional cabin appointments included leather-trimmed sports seats, air conditioning, power windows, digital instrumentation, and alloy wheels. Although its modest powertrain performance prioritized economy over track speed, the Beauty Leopard achieved iconic status in Chinese automotive culture due to its striking looks and affordable price tag before being succeeded by the Geely CD.
