Beijing 2024: Geely Galaxy Starship concept previews flagship SUV with AI technology, PHEV range of over 2,000 km
Nghe Hao! We’re live at Auto China 2024 in Beijing, where Geely just revealed the Galaxy Starship concept. This large SUV is a teaser of the Galaxy sub-brand’s upcoming flagship model as well as a suite of AI technologies that will soon be introduced to the company’s existing product line.
Starship continues to use the Galaxy’s “Expanding Light Universe” design language, sporting slim LED headlights, a front fascia without an illuminated grille, and full-width taillights. Added to this are a number of typical concept car styling cues, including massive, intricate multi-spoke alloy wheels, “smart light curtains”, panoramic sunroof, active rear spoiler, a large rear diffuser and even something called Dynamic. Island (we can already hear Apple’s legal team working to respond…).
But the highlight of the Starship is of course the giant gull-winged doors that allow unhindered access to the exotic interior. You’ll find two front seats, a separate center seat, and a couch-like bench in the back. What’s interesting is that the aforementioned center seat can not only recline flat but can even be taken out of the vehicle for last-mile transportation.
Other features include an internal Flyme Sound system with over 2,000 watts of power, as well as AI-driven multimodal voice control with WeChat integration. The latter is expected to move forward Galaxy E8 electric sedan via online update in the second quarter of this year.
Additionally, the Starship has a customizable holographic avatar displayed on the driver display and even the exterior display on the doors. It is also said to be capable of integrating with AI phones (through chairman Li Shufu’s smartphone manufacturing subsidiary Meizu), smart glasses and drones.
Under the skin, Starship is based on Geely’s new Global Smart Energy Architecture (GEA), which supports all-electric, range extender, plug-in hybrid and methanol technologies. These include the next-generation NordThor PHEV powertrain which is said to have a total range of more than 2,000 km.
It will also be equipped with the company’s new in-house Aegis Dagger lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, as well as an “11 to 1” electric motor that is said to be 90.04% efficient. Additionally, the vehicle features an 800-volt construction that reduces silicon carbide usage by more than 75%.
The GEA platform also uses what is said to be the world’s first “AI digital chassis” that integrates the powertrain, fly-by-wire system and autopilot system. This enables lightning-fast reactions in just 4 milliseconds, compared to 100 milliseconds for the human driver. Geely tested this technology by achieving the world’s first autonomous drift capability on the Galaxy E8 prototype.
Geely has not confirmed when the production Starship will go into production, but it is understood that some of the car’s less exotic features will make their way to future Galaxy models – some of which may be offered in Malaysia under the Proton brand.
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