Geely locks in three NEVs for 2027

GEELY Auto Australia has confirmed three of the six new models it will launch locally during 2027, adding a plug-in hybrid sedan, larger five-seat SUV, and high-performance off-roader as the Chinese manufacturer rapidly fills gaps in its fledgling Australian portfolio.

The Monjaro EM-i SUV and Emgrand L EM-i sedan will arrive during the first half of next year, followed by the imposing Battleship 700 plug-in hybrid off-roader in the second half.

The announcement substantially clarifies an expansion strategy outlined by Geely Australia managing director Alex Gu earlier this year, when he told GoAuto the company planned at least one model launch per quarter through 2027 and intended to move into several segments it currently does not contest.

Three further 2027 arrivals are yet to be detailed.

Geely’s local range currently comprises the EX5 battery-electric medium SUV, Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid SUV and recently introduced EX2 electric hatch, with the Starray EM-i Inspire AWD also joining showrooms this month.

The company only relaunched in Australia as a factory-backed operation in March 2025 but passed 20,000 cumulative local deliveries last month and has expanded to around 80 showrooms nationally.

Its 2027 product offensive will push the marque beyond those existing segments and, importantly, further increase its reliance on plug-in hybrid technology.

Due first is the Monjaro EM-i, a five-seat SUV positioned above the Starray EM-i and aimed at larger family crossovers including the Mazda CX-60 and Mitsubishi Outlander.

The Monjaro measures approximately 4.8 metres long on a 2845mm wheelbase, putting it firmly into upper-medium SUV territory despite offering only five seats.

Geely has already commenced its international roll-out in Egypt, with the UAE, Mexico, Kazakhstan, and European markets to follow.

Australian versions will use a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine working with two electric motors and a battery of up to 40kWh capacity.

Geely claims up to 170km of electric-only driving range and as much as 1137km of combined petrol-electric range under the WLTP test procedure.

Both front- and all-wheel drive configurations are planned, with 19- and 20-inch wheel choices.

International specifications indicate the flagship AWD version can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.83 seconds, while front-drive versions have quoted low-battery fuel consumption of 5.4L/100km.

Australian outputs and consumption figures remain subject to final homologation.

The Monjaro is based on Geely’s GEA Evo new-energy architecture and features continuously controlled damping, with chassis tuning undertaken by Geely Technology Europe.

Geely’s international specification includes Comfort, Standard, and Sport damper settings, while its electric AWD system can vary traction response according to road conditions.

Inside is a 15.4-inch central touchscreen and sizeable 25.6-inch head-up display, along with heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, and heated rear seats.

International versions also offer a 633-litre luggage compartment, expandable to 1532 litres with the second row folded.

As with the EX5 and Starray EM-i, the Monjaro will support vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-vehicle functions (V2V), with up to 6.6kW available for external electrical equipment.

The Australian colour palette will include Sunlight Gold, Sky Blue, Night Black, Lunar Grey, and Cloud White, with an optional brown suede-like interior treatment.

Its confirmation represents a change from earlier indications that Australia could initially receive a conventional hybrid Monjaro. GoAuto reported in May that Geely was assessing its new plugless i-HEV system for the model, but the local operation has now settled on the longer-range EM-i plug-in hybrid.

The Emgrand L EM-i will meanwhile become Geely’s first sedan since returning to Australia under factory operation and enters a market the company believes has become underserved as established manufacturers retreat from traditional passenger cars.

Mr Gu previously told GoAuto there remained opportunities among both private and fleet buyers for more advanced and technologically focused sedans.

The Emgrand is expected to target models including the BYD Seal 6 and Toyota Camry.

It measures around 4806mm long, 1886mm wide, and 1490mm high on a 2756mm wheelbase, making it marginally smaller overall than a Camry but larger than most conventional small sedans. Overseas specifications quote luggage capacity of 609 litres.

Australian cars will use an 18.4kWh battery pack and offer more than 80km of claimed WLTP electric range, complemented by more than 1000km of combined petrol-electric range.

Geely says system output will exceed 180kW, with torque of more than 250Nm.

The powertrain is related to the EM-i system already offered in Australia in the Starray, which combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with electric drive and prioritises the electric motor for propulsion across much of its operating range.

Current Australian Starray EM-i models produce 193kW combined and offer between 83km and 136km of WLTP electric range depending on battery capacity, providing an indication of where the Emgrand’s technology sits within Geely’s expanding electrified portfolio.

GoAuto has already sampled an overseas-market Emgrand, finding a comfortable ride, generous rear-seat accommodation and relatively plush interior, characteristics likely to suit the private, fleet and rideshare buyers Geely is targeting.

Australian specification and pricing remain unconfirmed, although GoAuto previously indicated the sedan could occupy territory around the $35,000 mark if Geely maintains its aggressive local pricing strategy.

It also represents something of a homecoming for the Emgrand name…

Although this will be the first sedan sold by the reborn factory-backed Geely operation, the company previously sold the budget-priced MK sedan and hatch through Western Australian distributor John Hughes during its short-lived first attempt at the Australian market in the early 2010s.

However, the most dramatic of the confirmed newcomers is undoubtedly the Battleship 700, the production version of the vehicle previously previewed as the Galaxy Cruiser.

Set to arrive in the second half of 2027, the five-seat plug-in hybrid off-roader will push Geely into territory occupied by the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, Ford Everest and GWM Tank 500 – though its headline outputs put it well beyond any of them for outright performance.

In its flagship overseas configuration, the Battleship 700 combines a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with three electric motors and all-wheel drive for a claimed 830kW system output.

Chinese specifications additionally quote 1330Nm and a 0-100km/h time of just 3.95 seconds.

A 47.14kWh lithium iron phosphate battery is fitted overseas.

Geely Australia says its proposed version will offer up to around 170km of pure-electric driving, although final Australian drivetrain and range specifications will not be confirmed until closer to launch.

The Battleship is no lightweight crossover dressed in outdoorsy styling.

At a little over 5.0 metres long and roughly 2.0 metres wide, it uses what Geely describes as an architecture blending monocoque construction with an integrated frame and incorporates dedicated off-road hardware.

Ground clearance is quoted at 233mm and maximum wading depth at 800mm, while approach and departure angles of approximately 30 and 31 degrees respectively have been quoted for Chinese-market vehicles.

The flagship drivetrain includes a mechanical differential lock, while some overseas grades feature dual-chamber air suspension and continuously variable damping.

Then there is the technology…

Its so-called ‘Waltz’ U-Turn system can dramatically reduce the turning radius by manipulating wheel torque, while overseas versions also offer a crab-walk function to assist manoeuvring in confined off-road conditions.

Chinese-market examples go further again, offering an emergency flotation mode incorporating sensing hardware and rear propulsion devices intended to help the vehicle escape unexpectedly deep water – although Geely has not confirmed that functionality for Australia.

The cabin is equally ambitious, featuring multiple digital displays, a panoramic roof, independent rear climate control, 23-speaker audio system, and an 18.5-litre heating and cooling compartment.

The Australian display vehicle features 12.3- and 15.6-inch screens, while full local equipment specifications remain under wraps.

The Battleship 700 will therefore represent a considerable step up from Geely’s current Australian offerings, both in size and performance, and provides the brand with the “box-style” off-roader Mr Gu promised earlier this year.

Its appearance at the Everything Electric expo in Sydney this week also follows the model’s Chinese market debut, where Geely reportedly received 43,900 pre-orders in the first hour following the opening of order books.

Chinese pricing spans the equivalent of roughly $A42,000 to more than $A80,000, although those figures provide little indication of eventual Australian pricing.

The three-model announcement marks another significant step in Geely’s ambition to become one of Australia’s largest Chinese vehicle brands.

GoAuto reported earlier this year that Mr Gu intends to challenge established Chinese marques including BYD and GWM, with new products being accelerated specifically to enter market segments where Geely presently has no representation.

By the end of 2027, its Australian portfolio will stretch from an affordable electric hatch through medium and large SUVs, sedans and a dedicated off-roader, with further models still to be announced.

Final pricing, specifications and launch timing for all three models will be announced closer to their respective Australian arrivals.