Geely Auto has previewed its next generation of electrified vehicles, including a premium sedan concept, an electrified off-road architecture, and a new self-driving hybrid system.
The Chinese brand had plenty on display at Auto China 2026 in Beijing, which opened on April 24 and runs until May 3, headlined by the second-generation Galaxy Light concept car, which made its global debut.
Geely also showed off its “world-first native new energy off-road vehicle architecture”, previewing a new line of more rugged off-road models from the brand’s portfolio – likely a look at what’s to come from the production-spec Galaxy Cruiser, which was shown in prototype form at least year’s Shanghai motor show.
Here’s a spotlight at the three main acts on Geely’s Auto China stand.
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Geely Galaxy Light concept car
According to the Chinese brand, the second-generation Galaxy Light concept highlights “the elevation of Geely’s aesthetics in the era of intelligent electrification”.
This large premium sedan features an evolution of the Geely brand’s ‘Ripple Aesthetics’ design language, which clearly draws inspiration from luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and Bentley.
Geely’s media release states the Galaxy Light 2.0 forms part of the brand’s mission of “building intelligent, refined cars for everyone” and “redefining high-value in the intelligent electric era”.
While that all sounds like a pile of marketing-speak, it appears the production vehicle (or vehicles) the Galaxy Light will influence should retain their mainstream price positioning while bringing more elements and traits from the luxury segments.
Perhaps it could preview the next-generation Galaxy Starshine 6, a Toyota Camry-size sedan that currently is available with Geely’s ‘EM-i’ 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid system, but will also soon gain the company’s new plugless ‘i-HEV’ drivetrain tech – more on that below.
Key features of the new concept car include the illuminated ‘Galaxy Starfall Grille’ which gives off Maybach vibes, ‘Flying Eaves’ headlights which the brand claims are “tiger-like in their gaze”, sweeping character lines along the sides, coach doors, and ‘Dawning Sun’ tail-lights.
Inside, the Galaxy Light’s cabin apparently draws inspiration from “the morning light over Hangzhou’s West Lake” – near where the company is headquartered in Chinda – blending “the warmth of wood with the crystalline clarity of crystal, natural materials and intelligent technology”.
Headline features include intelligent ambient lighting which “simulates the shifting moods of the sky”, multi-zone climate control, air purification technology, four individual seats, and design accents that mimic ripple effects.
While we don’t have imagery of the interior, what was shown during the media conference also takes inspiration from Mercedes-Benz and Bentley, including the circular air vents, wraparound dashboard, quilted upholstery, woodgrain trim and steering wheel shape – you’ll just have to trust us.
New Energy Off-Road Vehicle Architecture
Also unveiled in Beijing was the Geely New Energy Off-Road Architecture, which according to the Chinese brand features heavy AI integration.
Claimed to the be the world’s “first native new energy off-road vehicle architecture”, the new body-on-frame platform is powered by Geely’s AI ecosystem and has features like AI-driven intelligent torque distribution, intelligent all-terrain drive modes, “one-touch intelligent vehicle recovery”, and AI-assisted “active body posture adjustment”.
Geely says the new platform has been designed to balance “extreme off-road capability and refined urban comfort”, with minimal cabin intrusion from the battery, motor and ECU thanks to the space-efficient design.
Safety has also been a core consideration – a recurring theme from the Chinese brand – with the recessed battery design and six-layer protective structure at the battery’s base designed to maximise vehicle safety during off-road driving.
Other stated features and functionality include a tri-motor powertrain which delivers a claimed system power output “exceeding” 1000hp (745kW) delivering 0-100km/h acceleration capability “in the four-second range”, a rear differential lock which can “rapidly and intelligently engage the dual rear motors”, front and rear double-wishbone suspension, and a dedicated off-road thermal management system.
As noted earlier, the new platform is expected to debut under the production version of the Galaxy Cruiser 4WD, which was shown in prototype form at last year’s Shanghai motor show (Auto China 2025). Stand by for more to come on that, too…
Geely i-HEV Intelligent Hybrid
After launching its ‘Galaxy’ range of vehicles with plug-in hybrid and EV drivetrains, Geely is now touting its upcoming i-HEV hybrid technology which appears to be aiming straight at Toyota.
Set to debut in two of the brand’s older models – the Starshine 6 sedan and Monjaro SUV – the new i-HEV drivetrain claims leading thermal efficiency (48.41 per cent), and 12 per cent lower fuel consumption “than the industry benchmark”.
In the Starshine 6/Emgrand, Geely says the new i-HEV system achieved fuel consumption of 2.22L/100km in “real-world testing”, setting a new Guinness World Record for ‘Lowest Fuel Consumption Challenge for an HEV Model’.
Like the EM-i PHEV system, the i-HEV is understood to be based around Geely’s 1.5-litre petrol engine, and while the finer details haven’t quite been fleshed out, the Chinese brand quotes a system power output of 230kW, and claims it can operate in pure electric mode at speeds of up to 66km/h.
Other worthy mentions include the development process and attention to safety, with Geely quoting 15,000 hours of bench durability testing – equivalent to “approximately 4.8 million kilometres” of vehicle mileage – as well as patented power redundancy and safety technology for the liquid-cooled, hybrid-specific battery pack (of undisclosed capacity).
Geely’s new hybrid tech has also received certification from seven industry bodies, including CAERI’s “Hybrid System Reliability: Iron Man Heptathlon Durability” certification, and CAERI’s “World’s First HEV Model: Frontal 18° Offset Triple-Collision” safety certification, as well as the aforementioned Guinness World Record.
Let us know your thoughts on Geely’s Auto China reveals in the comments below.
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