Chinese automaker’s latest PHEV model combines striking design with advanced hybrid technology to challenge BYD’s dominance
Geely has pulled the covers off the Galaxy A7, a mid-size plug-in hybrid saloon boasting up to 2,100km of range, as the firm continues its pursuit of runaway rival BYD.
Targeted at the Seal 06 DM-i, the A7 slots into the Galaxy line-up between the L6 and Star 8 saloons, adding more depth to an affordable line-up that has made enormous strides in sales in recent months.
Expected to be launched before the end of the year, the A7 comes in at 4,918mm long, 1,905mm wide, 1,495mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,845mm, making it slightly larger than both the Qin L DM-i and Seal 06 DM-i models, but a tad smaller than the Seal 07 DM-i.
Given the intensity of the price war currently in China, the A7 is expected to retail from around RMB100,000 (£10,300 / $13,900), which would pitch it directly at the Qin L, with prices rising to around RMB130,000 (£13,350 / $18,000).
Styling wise, the A7 sits very much fits the Galaxy profile, with a streamlined face that blends elements of the L6 and Star 8, and a taillight ring that borrows elements from the E5 and Starship 7 SUVs.
Fairly large alloys seem to fit the proportions just right, evoking the silhouette of the popular Preface saloon from the standard Geely range, while subtle creases and the now traditional upward kink in the lower door crease again mark it out as a Galaxy model.
The pictures appear to show an active grille at the bottom, helping to improve aerodynamics at high speed, while the trailing edge of the bootlid also features a very subtle lip for improved aero stability.
Elsewhere, chrome window frames and body elements add a touch of gloss, while the car will be expected to come with the more basic version of Geely’s autonomous driving hardware, equivalent to BYD’s God’s Eye C.
Limited pictures of the interior have been revealed, but those that have show a large central cockpit screen, perhaps around 16- or 17-inches and likely running Flyme Auto software, alongside a smaller 8-inch driver’s information display.
There appears to also be a head-up display, likely the 26.5-inch unit used in the Star 8, ambient lighting across the doors and dashboard, as well as plenty of soft touch materials and what is likely to be an artificial wood inlay similar to that on the Galaxy E8.
Notably, the A7 also seems to adopt the dashboard mounting points from the Xiaomi SU7 that allow devices such as cameras or phone holders to be magnetically applied to the dashboard for convenience.
There’s also stylish circular dash-top speakers, suggesting the A7 will come with at least 20 Flyme Sound speakers offering 7.1.4 surround sound, while there’s also storage under the centre console, and pricked leather, indicating it will also come with at least heated and ventilated front seats as standard, if not a massage function as well.
Geely has teased it’s EM-i hybrid drive system for some time now and the details we have suggest it’ll mate a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine with an electric motor, likely on the front axle.
Like BYD’s naming system, the ‘i’ means single motor, whereas ‘p’ would indicate a dual-motor performance version like that used in the Star 8 model.
Batteries should come in two sizes, the same 8.5kWh and 18.4kWh LFP batteries from the Star 8, enabling a staggering CLTC range of 2,100km, though in reality this is more likely to be about 1,600km.
These should be capable of 55km and 120km of EV-only range, consuming just 2-litre of fuel per 100km in the process.
