Geely unveils Starship flagship SUV at Beijing Auto Show
No, it doesn’t fly; at least not yet
GEELY Auto Chief Executive Officer Jerry Gan wowed the crowd at Auto China 2024 by unveiling the brand’s Starship prototype, its flagship SUV showpiece. This prototype solidifies the brand’s position as a leader in the era of intelligent vehicles, being the first automaker with the full-system capability to build cars with artificial intelligence with AI architecture.
The Starship prototype represents a significant leap forward in Geely’s technological advancements, showcasing innovations in intelligent architecture, safety features, high-performance electrification, and smart ecosystems. Drawing inspiration from the Yinhe family design language, the Starship maintains the original “Expanding Cosmos of Light” design while incorporating cutting-edge features such as the new-generation Leishen electric hybrid, 11-in-1 smart electric drive, panoramic surround audio AI system, and AI smart seats.
Key technologies like the AI digital assistant and AI digital chassis seamlessly integrate intelligent driving, big data, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing to deliver a premium mobility experience for the future. The Geely Starship is a testament to Geely’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in the automotive industry. Sans its show-stopping combination side doors, we can see the vehicle on the road very soon.
Gan said the Starship’s intelligent technologies will gradually make their way into the Yinhe new energy product series, starting with this model. During the presentation, he also shared that they have openings for 1,000 AI trainers and invited users to train on AI together and explore a more intelligent travel experience.
GEA global intelligent new energy architecture
Geely’s proprietary GEA global intelligent new energy architecture is a groundbreaking four-in-one AI intelligent system that combines hardware, system, ecology and AI. It is a significant leap forward in spatial design, intelligent energy, comprehensive safety, AI, and driving performance. It supports full electrification with a variety of power options, including pure electric, hybrid, range extender, and green methanol, giving users a wide range of choices. The GEA 3.0 electronic and electrical architecture integrates cutting-edge technologies like multimodal AIGC, AI digital chassis, and AI smart driving, marking the dawn of a new era in comprehensive AI intelligence in car manufacturing.
AI digital chassis
Geely’s self-developed AI digital chassis showcases the fusion of proprietary chassis technology, intelligence, electrification and large-scale AI models across various
domains, setting new standards in autonomous driving and active safety features. By integrating AI large models with a digital chassis, Geely vehicles can execute the world’s first autonomous drift, enhancing intelligent safety assistance for users. The Geely AI digital chassis responds in just 4 milliseconds, 25 times faster than the quickest human reaction time, enabling automatic evasive maneuvers in extreme conditions and offering users proactive accident prevention and control security.
High-performance three-electricity system
Geely has made significant strides in electrification with the introduction of its high-performance three-electricity system. This system includes an 11-in-1 intelligent electric drive, a new-generation Leishen electric hybrid, and a new-generation Shendun battery safety system. These innovations showcase Geely’s expertise in the complete vertical integration of the new energy industry chain, from core battery materials to independently developed electric drives and controls.
The 11-in-1 intelligent electric drive is a standout product in the industry, being the lightest, smallest, and most efficient of its kind. It has earned the first 5A-level certification for electric drive assembly and boasts an impressive efficiency of 90.04 percent under CLTC conditions. The new generation of Leishen hybrid electric powertrain achieves a global highest thermal efficiency of 46 percent, a range of over 2,000 kilometers, and minimal fuel consumption of 2 liters.
Geely has also made a breakthrough with their silicon carbide hybrid drive, reducing silicon carbide usage by over 75 percent while maintaining high efficiency. This advancement promotes the widespread adoption of 800-volt technology, offering unparalleled performance and energy savings.
The new generation of Shendun battery safety system sets new standards in safety, covering basic, vehicle, intelligent and health safety. This system provides a comprehensive four-layer safety protection system for the Yinhe E8, ensuring the safety of users with 32 standard safety features.
Geely’s high-performance three-electricity system represents a new era of innovation and safety in the electric vehicle industry, providing users with cutting-edge technology and peace of mind on the road.
More to offer in the future
Aside from the nameplates currently available in the Philippine market, Geely has an impressive array of vehicles to offer to the Chinese domestic market and around the world. It currently has 576 sales and service outlets in 71 countries worldwide, spanning key markets in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia, Africa, and beyond, and some models are market-specific depending on their needs. The Hangzhou-based manufacturer has yet to bring in its hybrid (rather than the mild hybrids currently available), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and battery electric vehicle offerings in the country, as well as currently offered nameplates with higher-powered engines.
Aside from Geely Auto, the Geely Auto Group also has Lynk & Co and Zeekr under its portfolio.