Copy-Paste School of Design
China’s carmakers have always had a complicated relationship with originality. From the Landwind X7 that looked suspiciously like a Range Rover Evoque, to Zotye’s Macan impersonation, there’s a long list of “homages” that would make a design lawyer twitch. Things have improved in recent years, but every now and then, something rolls out that makes you wonder if the photocopier is still plugged in.
Enter the Geely Galaxy Starshine 6, a mid-size plug-in hybrid sedan with a trapezoidal grille that wouldn’t look out of place on an AMG. Affalterbach might not have signed off on it, but Geely – the brand that owns Lotus, Volvo, Polestar, and a part of Aston Martin – is clearly betting that buyers will appreciate the familiarity.
Geely
Specs in a Familiar Suit
Dimensions plant the Starshine 6 squarely in the mid-size category: 189.2 inches long, 74.3 inches wide, and 58.7 inches high, sitting on a 108.5-inch wheelbase. The “Ripple Aesthetics” styling comes with slim, segmented headlights, a fastback-style profile, dual waistlines, and traditional door handles. At first glance, it looks like the AMG GT 4-Door coupe – until your eyes land on the badge at the center of the mandoline slicer grille. Out back, a full-width light bar spans the rear, while the exhaust is tucked away. Wheels come in 16- or 17-inch sizes.
Beneath the sheet metal, Geely drops in its new Thor EM-i hybrid setup. A 1.5-liter engine produces 110 horsepower and is paired with lithium-iron-phosphate batteries available in 8.5 kWh or 17 kWh capacities. Buyers can expect an electric-only range of 31, 62, or 78 miles, depending on trim, with a maximum speed of 112 mph.
The cabin doesn’t shy away from tech showmanship. Two-tone themes in brown or white wrap around a 10.2-inch digital cluster and a 14.6-inch floating center screen running Flyme Auto software. A flat-bottom wheel and column-mounted gear selector add some sportiness, while physical knobs remain for those who are not ready to surrender everything to touch.
Creature comforts include leather seating, heated fronts, ambient lighting, wireless charging, rear vents, and a 360-degree camera system. Higher trims add faster 50W wireless charging and more connectivity features. Safety kits, such as automatic parking and city navigation assist, are also available.
Geely
AMG for a Fraction of the Price
Unveiled in Qufu, Shandong, the Starshine 6 is pitched as the entry-level Galaxy plug-in hybrid, sitting below the Galaxy A7. While pricing hasn’t been revealed, the A7 runs from $12,300 to $17,190 (when converted), which means the Starshine 6 should come in cheaper.
Obviously, Geely is leaning heavily on familiar German styling cues, sprinkled with a bit of affordability and practicality. Buyers who don’t mind a bit of déjà vu when they glance at the Galaxy Starshine 6’s front end might just find the deal hard to ignore. Thankfully, there’s not a chance that this model will ever reach the US, so we’re safe from this travesty.
Geely
