Geely is not one of those who plan a facelift for years. The Chinese manufacturer updated its flagship hybrid sedan, the Starshine 8, less than a year after its premiere. The reason is simple: after peaking at 10,000 cars sold in October 2025, sales fell to 3,000 units by February 2026. The reaction was immediate - the updated version with technologies typically reserved for 'premium' is hitting the market.
Eyes on the roof and 'brains' from Nvidia
The main visual change, which you won't notice immediately, is a small protrusion above the windshield. There resides a LiDAR, which is part of the G-Pilot H5 driver assistance system. This autopilot was developed by Afari Technology, in which Mercedes-Benz holds a 3% stake. Data processing is handled by the Nvidia Drive Orin chip with a performance of 254 TOPS.
Thanks to such 'hardware,' the Starshine 8 can independently move around the city and highways (NOA function) and find a parking space without pre-loaded maps. Besides LiDAR, the car is equipped with three millimeter-wave radars, 11 cameras, and 12 ultrasonic sensors. This is no longer just cruise control but a serious claim to autonomy.
Range that scares diesels
Under the hood is a second-generation hybrid system. The base EM-i version received a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine and an electric motor with a total power of 257 kW (345 hp). But the EM-P modification is more interesting: it already has a turbo engine, and the total output reaches 300 kW (402 hp) and 605 Nm of torque. Acceleration to the first 100 takes 6.35 seconds, which is quite a decent result for a five-meter sedan weighing almost two tons.
Interior with a large screen and Flyme Auto 2. Photo: Geely Galaxy
However, the main feature is the new battery with a capacity of 28.3 kWh. It allows driving up to 225 km on pure electricity. If you fill up the tank, the total range is 1,725 km. Fuel consumption in hybrid mode varies from 3.32 to 3.41 liters per 100 km. Charging the battery from 30% to 80% can be done in just 15 minutes thanks to support for 75 kW fast charging.
Comfort and prices
Inside, Geely has installed the Flyme Auto 2 system. It is fast, supports screen splitting for two apps, and is compatible with 90% of smartphones. Sound is handled by 23 Flyme Sound speakers. The suspension received a continuous damping system that actively adapts to the road surface.
Prices for the updated Starshine 8 start at $20,740. The top version will cost $23,510.
Source: CarNewsChina
