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As Geely is on the cusp of launching its first new-generation product in Australia, it has revealed more plug-in hybrids as part of the same range of vehicles it sources the new EX5 electric mid-size SUV.
The Geely Galaxy sub-brand in China is the group’s range of more future-facing plug-in models, as opposed to its Geely Auto brand (which covers a range of combustion, plugless hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models).
It earmarked at least the EX5, E8 sedan, and Xingyuan city hatch for global expansion late last year. The Galaxy marque also features the L7 mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV, the Starship 7 flagship plug-in SUV and now the L6 plug-in hybrid sedan.
The L6 uses the brand’s latest ‘EM-i’ plug-in hybrid system, a rival to BYD’s DM-i system, offering a claimed 140km electric driving range according to the more lenient CLTC measuring standard, and a total claimed range of over 2000km (seemingly a popular benchmark for new plug-ins from China). Similar to the BYD set-up, it pairs an electric motor to a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, although it sends drive to the wheels via a new hybrid transmission which uses two electric motors and blended power from the engine.
The engine produces just 82kW/136Nm tuned for thermal efficiency, while the electric motor pair produces a combined 160kW/262Nm. Battery sizes measure at either 8.5kWh or 19kWh.
As it stands, the L6 wouldn’t have any direct rivals in Australia, as plug-in hybrid sedans in our market were largely restrained to luxury brands and have since been discontinued.
Meanwhile the L7 EM-i mid-sizer offers either 55km or 115km of EV driving range depending on battery size, and looks to be a direct competitor to the BYD Sealion 6, which launched in Australia last year. It uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine (120kW/255Nm) paired to an electric motor (107kW/338Nm) in a hybrid transmission, while riding on a development of the same SPA platform which underpins Volvo’s current core combustion car range.
The Starship 7 is Geely Galaxy’s current flagship SUV and uses the brand’s more recent GEA platform and next-generation hybrid system. It still uses a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine (82kW/136Nm), although it is more efficient than the one in the L7, with a heavier reliance on its dual electric motors which produce 160kW/262Nm. It can travel up to 55km or 120km on electric power alone depending on the battery size.
The E8 is a purely electric large sedan, and the flagship of the Galaxy range in the same vein as the Tesla Model S. It uses an 800-volt architecture and has a total power output of 475kW/710Nm. It rides on the same SEA platform as the Polestar 4 and comes in two battery sizes, offering either 550km or 665km according to the CLTC standard.
Finally, the Xinguan is a city-sized hatchback, the brand’s equivalent to the BYD Dolphin. It rides on a shrunken version of the same GEA platform, which underpins the EX5. It uses a rear-drive layout instead of a front-drive layout. Power comes in at up to 85kW and it comes in two battery sizes, either 310km or 410km according to the CLTC standard.
A Geely spokesperson wouldn’t be drawn on what was next for the brand, or whether it would exclusively source products from the Galaxy line, or look beyond to the Geely Auto catalogue. However, they also didn’t rule out expanding to hybrids in the future and strayed away from confirming Geely would be battery electric only.
Instead, they focused on the idea of the EX5 competing not just with affordable EV rivals in the same space, but also aiming to convert combustion car buyers with the relative value it intends to offer.
While the brand locked in competitive specs for the EX5 ahead of its launch, it has not yet confirmed pricing, simply stating that it will be in the $49,000 - $55,000 bracket, placing it squarely against the just-arrived and Stellantis-backed Leapmotor C10, as well as mid- to high-grade versions of popular mid-size hybrid and combustion SUVs like the Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, and Mazda CX-5.
Geely will need to find its mainstream place in the market as it lives alongside other brands under the umbrella of its holding group, Volvo, Polestar, and Zeekr. The Geely brands won’t operate together, but as separate entities in Australia, with their own independent dealer and parts networks.
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