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Future models - Geely - Starray - EM-iGeely Starray tipped to start below $40KSpecs revealed for second Geely model – and first PHEV – set for Australia in Q415 Jul 2025 By TOM BAKER THE eponymous brand of Geely Automotive Holdings (GAH) is preparing to introduce its second model in Australian market, with a fourth-quarter 2025 launch window slated for the Geely Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
Like the Geely EX5 battery electric vehicle (BEV) already in the brand’s 32 Australian showrooms, the Starray will enter a growing segment of PHEV midsize SUVs in Australia –and at launch is expected to become of the most affordable vehicles in the class.
Rivals at launch will include other PHEV midsizers – the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid (from $39,990 drive-away), BYD Sealion 6 (from $42,990 plus on-road costs), Leapmotor C10 REEV (from $46,890 d/a), Jaecoo J7 SHS and GWM Haval H6 PHEV (both from $47,990 d/a), and MG HS Super Hybrid (from $50,990 d/a) – all, like the Starray, hailing from China.
Compared to the more developed Chinese PHEV set, rivals from familiar Western manufacturers are thinner on the ground but include the upcoming facelift of the similarly sized Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the forthcoming Cupra Terramar and Toyota RAV4 PHEVs.
Geely surprised Australian motoring media and buyers alike with cheaper-than-expected pricing for the EX5 BEV ($40,990-$44,990 + ORC) and executives are aiming to soon provoke a similar response Starray pricing is announced.
“We had audible gasps when EX5 pricing was announced, and I am aiming to have audible gasps when we announce (Starray EM-i) pricing,” said a Geely Australia (GAu) product spokesperson that GoAuto was asked not to identify. Given the EX5’s retail pricing in Australia, and the fact the Starray is understood to be cheaper for GAH to manufacture, it is anticipated that the Starray EM-I will be priced from the $30,000s in entry-level form – presaging a close fight with the Chery Tiggo 7 for the title of Australia’s most-affordable PHEV.
Geely will be hoping to seize market share from local PHEV favourites, with the Sealion 6 and Outlander PHEV recording Australian deliveries for the first half of 2025 of 4375 and 2961 units respectively.
In the same period, Geely sold 1845 examples of its EX5 BEV.
Geely Australia told GoAuto that the Starray EM-i in local configuration will be rated for 83km of electric-only range (WLTP) from its 18.3kWh lithium iron phosphate ‘Aegis Short Blade’ battery, of which around 17kWh will be usable.
Total driving range measured on the WLTP cycle will be rated locally at 943km, implying fuel consumption of 5.9L/100km with an ‘exhausted’ traction battery thanks to fitment of a 51-litre fuel tank.
The Starray will be front-wheel drive only in a limitation of its GAH EM-i-S hybrid system, which does not support rear-axle electrification.
EM-i-S sits at the entry point of GAH’s multi-tier PHEV hierarchy, comprising a 160kW/262Nm P3 electric motor driving the front wheels, an 11-in-1 e-DHT transmission, a 73kW/125Nm naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol operating at fixed RPMs as a generator, and the LFP traction battery.
In China, GAH offers a wide range of more sophisticated PHEV powertrains, up to and including the EM-P architecture used mainly by high-end Zeekr and Lynk & Co models featuring all-wheel drive and substantially more power from electric and ICE sources.
With length of 4740mm, the Starray is 125mm longer than the EX5 BEV, while its 2755mm wheelbase is 5mm longer. Height is 1685mm while width is 1905mm, both marginally more generous than the EX5, while boot space is increased to 428 litres.
In China, the Starray is rated to tow 1000kg; local product planners are still finalising whether a tow rating will be secured locally, while Geely Australia is also looking into whether an accessory spare wheel and tyre can be offered to local buyers as an option.
The Starray is built atop Geely’s GEA modular skateboard platform, which can support both BEV and PHEV propulsion with the same hard points, driving down the cost of product iteration. Geely expects the Starray to receive a five-star ANCAP safety rating – as the EX5 did.
As with the EX5, the Starray EM-i will launch in Australia with a two-grade structure likely to be named Complete and Inspire, though final labels are yet to be confirmed.
“We will make it a similar walk-up to the EX5 … it will be a simple offer where (customers) are not overwhelmed with choice,” the product spokesperson told GoAuto.
The entry-grade Starray will include keyless entry and start, automatic LED headlights, roof rails, privacy glass, a 15.4-inch touchscreen with ‘FlyMe’ operating system, 10.2-inch driver’s display, over-the-air (OTA) update capability, a companion smartphone app, 3.3kW vehicle-to-load output, rear air vents, and power-adjustable front seats.
Apple CarPlay will be standard from launch while Android Auto will be added via an OTA update issued between January and March 2025.
The range-topping Starray trim is expected to cost 10 per cent more than the base car. It adds 19-inch wheels with Goodyear tyres, a power tailgate, panoramic glass sunroof with blind, 16-speaker Flyme stereo, heated and cooled front seats, a wireless device charger, heads-up display and cabin ambient lighting.
Geely Australia is yet to confirm warranty and servicing details for the Starray EM-i, but the product spokesperson confirmed that the ownership experience is an emerging focus for the brand.
“Our focus is to sell cars, but we want to make sure the customer has an incredible ownership journey. In terms of warranty on the battery and the vehicle, we know from the (EX5) what it can be like,” the spokesperson said.  Read moreAll future models Alfa Romeo Abarth Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chrysler Chevrolet Dodge Citroen Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton Haval Great Wall Honda Holden Hyundai HSV Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia Lexus Land Rover Mazda Maserati Mercedes-Benz McLaren Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Saab Rolls-Royce Smart Skoda Subaru SsangYong Tesla Suzuki Volkswagen Toyota VolvoMotor industry news GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events. |
Click to shareGeely modelsResearch Geely All future modelsAlfa RomeoAbarthAudiAston MartinBMWBentleyChryslerChevroletDodgeCitroenFerrariDSFordFiatFPVFotonHavalGreat WallHondaHoldenHyundaiHSVIsuzuInfinitiJeepJaguarLamborghiniKiaLexusLand RoverMazdaMaseratiMercedes-BenzMcLarenMiniMGNissanMitsubishiPeugeotOpelProtonPorscheRenaultRamSaabRolls-RoyceSmartSkodaSubaruSsangYongTeslaSuzukiVolkswagenToyotaVolvoMotor industry newsGoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events. |
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