New Geely Starray EM-i Coming Soon: Specs, price and release info

Chinese powerhouse Geely – owner of brands including Volvo, Lotus, Smart, and Farizon – arrived in the UK as a stand-alone brand late last year with the electric EX5 SUV. Now, Geely is bringing us a second model: the Starray EM-i Super Hybrid. Unsurprisingly, it’s another SUV but this one is a plug-in hybrid, and it is due to arrive here in February. With a sub-£30,000 starting price, plenty of standard kit and a promised electric-only range of up to 84 miles the Starray EM-i looks to be Geely’s answer to rivals like the Chery Tiggo 7.
• The Starray EM-i is the second SUV in Geely’s range and will be sold alongside the electric EX5 • It will come with a generous eight-year/125,000-mile warranty • Up to 84 miles of electric-only range • Due here in February • Starting from £29,990

We don’t know much about the Starray EM-i Super Hybrid yet, but from the teaser images it appears to be a compact SUV sharing much in common with the EX5. Despite the obvious similarities in the design, rather than adapting an existing model Geely has built the Starray from scratch as a plug-in hybrid to help improve efficiency and performance. Additionally, Geely says it has used some know-how from Lotus to refine the Starray for UK roads.

We haven’t seen inside yet, but we have been told there will be three trim levels: Pro, Max and Ultra. We expect the interior will look a lot like the EX5 with minimalist look and a large central touch-screen. All models will come with a suite of safety systems, keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and heated front seats with electric adjustment. Moving up through the grades the Starray will gain a head-up display and wireless phone charger along with other mod-cons.

We haven’t got any details about engines and batteries yet, but we expect the boldly named ‘Super Hybrid’ system to combine a petrol engine with a relatively large battery capable of providing up to 84 miles of fully electric driving.

Pro models start at £29,990 while Max versions will be £32,690 and top of the range Ultra cars will cost £34,990. Geely is currently taking reservations, with sales expected to start in February.

Geely will be looking to quickly expand its range over the coming years, so we expect to see lots of new models in all shapes and sizes arriving here soon.

‘Super Hybrid’ technology is all the rage with new Chinese brands so the Starray will be up against similar plug-in hybrid models like the Chery Tiggo 7, Jaecoo 5 and upcoming BYD Sealion 5.