Chinese automaker Geely has unveiled its first battery-electric vehicle under its new Galaxy sub-brand, the Galaxy E8 sedan. The launch marks Geely’s attempt to compete in the rapidly growing mainstream electric vehicle space in China with an affordable yet high-tech offering.
The Galaxy E8 sports an elegant sedan design and comes loaded with technology, including an 800-volt electrical architecture in higher-end variants that enables ultra-fast charging. This allows the vehicle to replenish 180 km of range with just a 5-minute charge. The dual-motor top trim can rocket from 0-100 kph in a sports car-like 3.49 seconds thanks to 475 kW of power output.
Geely is offering multiple powertrain configurations and battery sizes to fit different customer needs. The most affordable rear-wheel drive variant utilizes a 400-volt platform and 200 kW motor, hitting 100 kph in a reasonable 5.95 seconds. Customers can choose between 62 kWh, 75.6 kWh and 76 kWh battery options, which provide 550 km, 620 km and 665 km of range respectively as measured on the generous NEDC cycle.
On the inside, the Galaxy E8 does not skimp on space or functionality, offering a 420 liter trunk and a front trunk with 53 liters of capacity. The drag coefficient of 0.199 is slippery for a sedan and should aid in maximizing range.
The Galaxy E8 is available now in China in 5 trim levels spanning from about USD 25,000 to USD 32,000 before local subsidies. Geely hopes to sell over 100,000 Galaxy models annually including EVs and PHEVs by 2025 across 7 planned variants. The launch of the Galaxy E8 shows Geely is not wasting time in executing its electrification strategy and serving the rapidly growing Chinese middle class EV buyer.
