Geely’s 1,128 PS Battleship 700 SUV to Arrive in Australia by 2027

Geely is set to expand its footprint in Australia with the launch of the Battleship 700, a high-performance plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) SUV, scheduled for the second half of 2027.

According to the original publisher, the Battleship 700 will join a growing roster of Geely models in Australia, including the Emgrand L EM-i and Monjaro EM-i. Unlike its branding in other regions, the model will drop the Galaxy sub-brand for the Australian market, positioning itself as a flagship offering. The vehicle is engineered on the dedicated Geely Terrain Architecture (GTA), which blends monocoque construction with an integrated ladder frame to handle heavy-duty performance.

The powertrain specifications are significant, featuring a triple-motor setup paired with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The front motor delivers 313 PS and 350 Nm of torque, while the rear motor contributes a staggering 598 PS and 620 Nm. Combined with the combustion engine and a three-speed dedicated hybrid transmission, the vehicle produces a total output of 1,128 PS and 1,330 Nm of torque. Despite a heavy kerb weight of 2,705 kg, the SUV reaches 100 km/h from a standstill in just 3.95 seconds.

Equipped with a 47 kWh Aegis short blade LFP battery protected by six layers of underbody reinforcement, the Battleship 700 boasts an electric-only range of 170 km on the WLTP cycle. Measuring 5,085 mm in length, the vehicle offers a spacious interior configured strictly as a five-seater. Notable features also include a "waltz" U-turn function, though specific trim levels and equipment for the Australian market have yet to be disclosed.

For Malaysian consumers and industry observers, the arrival of such technology in a neighboring regional market highlights the rapid evolution of Geely’s powertrain capabilities. While the Battleship 700 is currently slated for Australia, the underlying technology—specifically the EM-i hybrid systems already seen in vehicles like the Proton eMas 7 PHEV—is becoming increasingly relevant as Malaysia navigates its own energy transition.

The significance for the local market lies in the maturation of these high-output hybrid platforms. With Malaysia’s current economic climate seeing a 6.0% real GDP growth and headline inflation at 1.9%, consumers remain cautious regarding fuel costs. While the retail price of RON95 remains at RM1.99 or RM2.05 depending on the subsidy scheme, the availability of advanced PHEVs that can bridge the gap between traditional fuel and pure electric power offers a hedge against the price volatility seen in unsubsidized fuel sectors.

Geely’s aggressive expansion serves as a litmus test for how Chinese-engineered luxury-performance vehicles are received in mature, right-hand-drive markets. The success of the "Battleship" nomenclature and its technical performance in Australia may influence how Geely and its partners, such as Proton, adapt their portfolio for the ASEAN region. Investors and local analysts will likely watch the 2027 rollout to see if such high-displacement hybrid technology is viable outside of the premium segment.

This strategy follows the introduction of the EX5 and Starray, signaling that Geely is no longer just targeting the entry-level EV market but is instead moving to dominate the high-performance SUV segment. The brand’s ability to scale such complex triple-motor configurations will be a key performance indicator for its engineering prowess.

As of now, pricing, specific trim availability, and final safety certifications for the Australian version of the Battleship 700 remain unconfirmed. Prospective buyers and industry stakeholders will have to wait for closer-to-launch announcements to understand how the manufacturer intends to price this high-output machine in the competitive international landscape.