Leaked via a filing on China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) website last month, the Geely Galaxy Starship 7 has been revealed through images posted on Geely Galaxy’s official Weibo page. The car’s name may take its name from a concept shown in Beijing earlier this year, but it’s actually just a plug-in version of the Geely Galaxy E5/Proton eMas 7 (stylised as e.MAS 7).
The similarities to its electric siblings are apparent in the centre section, which is all but identical save for conventional pull-type door handles instead of flush pop-out items. The front and rear ends have been tweaked slightly, however – the former gains a full-width light bar with tiered daytime running lights on either side, with the main headlights being pushed downwards into the bumper. You also don’t get the illuminated “grille” that is optional on the Galaxy E5.
Around the back, the full-width taillight graphics have been mildly revised, while the number plate recess has been relocated to the tailgate, giving the car a striking resemblance to the Porsche Cayenne. The E5’s aero wheels have also been swapped out for multi-spoke units.
Break out the measuring tape and you’ll realise there’s not much that separates the Starship 7 from the E5 in terms of dimensions either, being just four millimetres wider (1,905 mm) and 15 mm taller (1,685 mm), as well as being five millimetres longer in wheelbase (2,755 mm). It is, however, 125 mm longer in overall length (4,740 mm), presumably at the front to fit the PHEV powertrain.
Speaking of which, Geely has not provided any details on what’s under the bonnet, merely saying that it features a next-generation Thor setup. However, Car News China has reported that the car is powered by a 111 PS 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor of unspecified output.
Juicing that motor is a choice of 19.09 kWh and 28.94 kWh battery packs supplied by GWM’s Svolt subsidiary, delivering a pure electric range of 101 and 150 km respectively. Those healthy figures should provide a significant boost to the Starship 7’s overall range – Geely promised a total range of a whopping 2,000 km for the original Galaxy Starship concept, which was also said to feature a next-gen PHEV powertrain and ride on the E5’s Global Intelligent New Energy Architecture (GEA).
Step inside and you’ll find more shared items with the E5, including the oblong two-spoke steering wheel, 10.25-inch digital instrument display, 15.4-inch centre touchscreen and twin smartphone holders with a 50-watt Qi wireless charger on the left side.
There are a few changes, however – you now get a full-width air-con vent design, while the wraparound centre console has been swapped out for a simple symmetrical one. The multifunction knob and physical air-con controls (now with temperate and fan rocker switches, a handy addition) have also been moved further down the said console.
Just like the E5, the Starship 7 will likely enter Malaysia as the eMas 7 PHEV, with Proton already trademarking the name. This would provide a great alternative to the electric eMas 7 for buyers who need the additional range from a petrol engine.
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