The 424-horsepower Geely sedan with all-wheel drive turned out to be cheaper in China than the Belgee S50 in Russia

Geely Galaxy Starshine 7 hybrid sedan with all-wheel drive and output up to 424 hp. on the home market it turned out to be cheaper than a simple Belgee S50 in Russia.

Prices: Geely flagship versus budget Belgee

Geely has announced prices for the new Galaxy Starshine 7 sedan on the Chinese market, while simultaneously opening pre-orders for it. The range is from 112.8 to 142.8 thousand yuan, which is equivalent to approximately 1.3–1.6 million rubles at the current exchange rate. At the same time, even the top version with maximum equipment and all-wheel drive remains cheaper than the basic Belgee S50 sedan, which is offered in Russia for about 1.7–1.9 million rubles and more.

Thus, a powerful and technologically advanced business-class hybrid in China turns out to be more affordable than a simpler compact sedan on the Russian market. This clearly demonstrates the gap between the domestic prices of Chinese brands and the cost of their products after import and localization in Russia.

Dimensions and architecture: business class in size

Galaxy Starshine 7 is a large sedan with a length of about 4.96 meters with a wheelbase of 2852 millimeters, that is, in terms of dimensions it is close to models such as the Toyota Camry and other cars in the business segment. Formally, it is aimed at family and executive audiences, offering a spacious interior and a rich range of comfort already in the basic versions.

The fully independent suspension with adaptive shock absorbers is designed to provide a combination of softness and stability, which is especially important for long trips and use as a corporate or work vehicle.

Hybrid installations: from 302 to 424 horsepower

The Starshine 7 line of power units is built on a plug-in hybrid system with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and one or two electric motors. In three front-wheel drive versions, the total output of the installation is about 302 hp. and 376 Nm, which provides acceleration to 100 km/h in approximately 7.8 seconds. These modifications are capable of driving up to 230 kilometers on electric power thanks to a battery with a capacity of 28.3 kWh according to the Chinese CLTC cycle.

The most expensive, all-wheel drive version receives an additional electric motor on the rear axle. As a result, the total power increases to 424 hp. (312 kW), and torque reaches 526 Nm, which reduces the acceleration time to 100 km/h to 5.4 seconds. It uses a slightly more capacious 28.5 kWh battery, but the electric range is slightly reduced - to 220 kilometers, which is due to the greater weight and higher output of the power plant.

Regardless of the version, the average fuel consumption of Starshine 7 is stated to be less than 3 liters per 100 kilometers, which emphasizes the efficiency of the new generation hybrid system.

Interior and equipment: comfort for rear passengers

The interior of the Galaxy Starshine 7 is built around the idea of ​​the most comfortable “home” cabin for all passengers, including the back row. The list of equipment includes a multimedia system with a 15.6‑inch central display and an audio system with 16 speakers. The air conditioning system is complemented by the function of air aromatization, which has already become the hallmark of many modern Chinese business class models.

Particular attention is paid to the comfort of the seats: not only the front seats, but also the rear sofa are equipped with ventilation and massage, which is clearly aimed at owners who often ride in the back rather than behind the wheel. This approach brings the Starshine 7 closer to more expensive premium sedans, while maintaining a noticeably more affordable price level in the home market.

Technological context: Geely strategy in the hybrid segment

The introduction of the Galaxy Starshine 7 fits into Geely's broader strategy to develop hybrid technologies. In mid-April, the company showed a new generation hybrid system without the ability to charge from the network, characterized by even lower consumption - in ideal conditions, one liter less than that of the Starshine 7. This installation is planned to be used on the Monjaro, Preface models and a large crossover, the name of which has not yet been disclosed.

Against this background, Starshine 7 becomes an important showcase product, demonstrating the technical capabilities of the brand in the plug-in hybrid segment: high power, record low consumption, large electric range and rich equipment at a noticeably lower price than many classic gasoline sedans in Russia, like the Belgee S50.