Geely has launched the second of its plug-in hybrids based on its existing electric vehicles. The Galaxy Starshine 8, as it’s so called, comes hot on the heels of the Galaxy Starship 7 SUV and is built on the bones of the Galaxy E8 electric sedan.
The Galaxy sub-brand has clearly been stung by the falling demand for EVs and so has been pushed to produce more PHEVs in double-quick time. This is the same reason why other hitherto electric-only Geely brands, such as smart and Zeekr, are also turning to hybrids.
Power will come from a choice of two NordThor powertrains. The base model uses the less powerful EM-i system that, in the Starship 7, combines a 111 PS/136 Nm 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine with a 11-to-1 electrified dedicated hybrid transmission (E-DHT), the latter incorporating an electric motor producing 218 PS (160 kW) and 262 Nm.
This is the same powertrain widely tipped to be offered in Malaysia under the bonnet of Proton’s version of the Starship 7, the eMas 7 PHEV. Not much has been released in terms of details for the Starshine 8 specifically, but it’s been confirmed that the car will offer an all-electric range of 60 km, with an optional 18.4 kWh CATL battery pushing that figure to 130 km. Fuel consumption is rated to be as low as 3.66 litres per 100 km on China’s CLTC cycle.
Higher-spec models will utilise the performance-oriented EM-P setup already used by Lynk & Co. That brand uses a turbo engine to push out 163 PS and 255 Nm, mated to the same electric motor and a three-speed DHT for a total system output of 381 PS and 605 Nm of torque – the latter figure is confirmed for the Starshine 8. So equipped, it will get from zero to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds while delivering a fuel consumption of 3.67 litres per 100 km.
The Starshine 8 shares the same basic structure and much of its body panels with the Galaxy E8, so it’s no surprise the car’s dimensions are practically identical, measuring a whopping 5,010 mm long, 1,918 mm wide (-2 mm) and 1,480 mm tall (+15 mm), with a wheelbase of 2,928 mm (+3 mm).
Design-wise, the Starshine 8 retains the E8’s long body, sweeping coupé-like roofline, six-window frameless glasshouse and flush pop-out door handles, along with L-shaped upper daytime running lights and full-width taillights. However, the PHEV model is differentiated through a new front bumper with chrome T-shaped bumper corners framing the main headlights, as well as a redesigned rear diffuser. Eagle-eyed observers will also spot new shutlines for the bonnet (the E8 has a clamshell bonnet).
Inside, the Starshine 8 is much more conventional, ditching the E8’s massive 45-inch full-width display. In its place is a still large centre touchscreen and a smaller instrument display for the driver (the sizes of both are still unknown at this time), with an optional 25.6-inch augmented-reality head-up display projecting plenty of information onto the windscreen.
The displays run on Geely’s Flyme Auto infotainment system that is also found in the Proton eMas 7, now equipped with DeepSeek generative AI. Buyers can also specify the car with a 23-speaker, 2,000-watt Flyme Audio sound system, replete with headrest speakers. Just like the E8, the Starshine 8 can be had with a “VIP” passenger-side rear seat with power adjustment, ventilation, heating and massage.
In terms of driver assists, the Starshine 8 comes with Geely’s advanced new G-Pilot suite of systems, with top-spec models also fitted with a roof-mounted lidar sensor. This should enable similar systems found in the E8, such as partial highway self-driving with automatic on-ramp and exit navigation, automatic lane changes and high-speed emergency collision avoidance.
Given that Geely’s Galaxy range of EVs and PHEVs are set to be introduced in Malaysia as Protons, there is a non-zero chance of the Starshine 8 being sold here. We wouldn’t hold our breath for it, however, as the car has yet to be converted to right-hand drive and the market for non-premium-badged large sedans in Malaysia is slim to non-existent. Sorry guys, but the wait for a new Perdana continues…
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