Not long after Geely showed its Galaxy M9 flagship, the company released the first images of a car at the other end of the spectrum, the Geely Galaxy A7 – the Chinese carmaker is seemingly taking its model names from old Samsung phones. The new plug-in hybrid sedan is set to be one of the more affordable models in the Galaxy new energy lineup, and its most efficient to boot (pun not intended).
Geely is touting some seriously impressive numbers here – fuel consumption in the 2.0 litres per 100 km range even with the battery low and an astounding total range of over 2,100 km (!). No technical details have been released just yet, but the car should be powered by the company’s efficiency-biased EM-i powertrain, the same one found in the Galaxy Starship 7 (set to become the Proton eMas 7 PHEV).
This pairs a 111 PS/136 Nm 1.5 litre 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. Two lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery options are generally offered – 8.5 and 18.4 kWh packs delivering a pure electric range of 60 and 130 km respectively (on China’s lenient CLTC cycle) in the Galaxy Starshine 8.
It may slot below the Starshine 8, but the A7 is not small – according to Autohome, the car’s ministry of industry and information technology (MIIT) filing lists a length of 4,918 mm long and a wheelbase of 2,845 mm, both deep in D-segment category. As such, the car is neatly positioned between its more premium sibling and the resolutely C-segment Galaxy L6, which uses the same powertrain.
This positioning is reflected in the car’s design, with a more conventional three-box profile and six-window glasshouse compared to the Starshine 8’s sleeker Porsche Taycan-esque fastback shape. Full-width light bars at the front and back and conventional pull-type door handles mirror those found on the aforementioned M9, as do the machined multi-spoke alloy wheels.
Inside, the greater simplicity continues with larger, physically-adjustable air vents, sitting amidst a tall centre console, a Proton eMas 7-style two-spoke steering wheel and freestanding displays. No details on these screens yet, but the centre infotainment panel is much smaller than the M9’s massive 30-inch widescreen unit (shared with the front passenger), so expect it to be the same 14.8-inch display as the eMas 7.
Could the A7 come to Malaysia as a Proton? It’s certainly within the realm of possibility, especially since the national carmaker has already teased a sedan eMas model – the third after the eMas 7 and the upcoming eMas 5. Perhaps we could see the rebirth of the much-loved Perdana moniker?
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2100km range is awesome…. imagine pump petrol only once a month!
For normal city travels could be once every 3 months
year 2026 proton saga limousine ?
Too late really…D segment sedan in Malaysia is living out its final stretch.
As lower segment cars gets bigger and bigger each generation, the ‘top’ segment slowly dies off. C sedan easily rival D sedan in term of size.
If D sedan also grows larger by each gen, we will need a different license class to drive a Bas Mini size sedan.
If Proton wanted to be No.1 in Malaysia in terms of volume, then you need to consider building cars in the price range of:
1. RM35k to RM50k (Saga)
2. RM45k to RM60k (Persona)
3. RM55k to RM70k (mini MPV?)
4. RM65k to RM80k (mini SUV?)
Beyond this price range, only cater for M40 high-end group and above, regardless for first or second car.
Bring it here! Like I’ve been saying, PHEV is the way to go for now in Msia. But pls bring B-segment PHEVs with at least 50km (WLTP) EV range & price it at rahmah level. I bet P1 will be the king!
Dude I drove 2 hybrids before and will nvr ever do it again. You have 2 powertrain and a battery to fail. Worst.
Dude I own & daily use 2 hybrid since 2009, and will buy a new PHEV in a heartbeat if the price is right. You know nuts. Best cars I ever own. 9 cent per km EVEN with battery replacement cost.
Your hybrid Probably European brand. Their engineering truly sucks probably due to complacency as no competition. Now China cars are eating them up
Enough with the teasing.. so many phev models, yet none made to our shore.