A RISING car brand has revealed an early look at its newest large off-roader – a plug-in hybrid model that will be a direct rival to the Land Rover Defender and Toyota Land Cruiser.
Chinese giants Geely have got their eyes on a big slice of the SUV pie with a model referred to as the Galaxy Battleship.
This motor follows on from the Galaxy Cruiser concept shown at the 2025 Shanghai Motor Show, with near-production prototypes now being put through its paces with cold-weather testing close to the Arctic Circle in Sweden.
Judging by the test-car images, the production version will stay very close to the concept – with Geely design boss Flavien Dachet previously stating the show car was around 90-95 per cent representative of the final roadgoing version.
Auto Express has confirmed the model is planned for the UK in 2028 – although the brand has not said whether the Battleship name will be used.
It will boast the typical tall, boxy silhouette with a high roofline, pronounced wheelarches and a squared-off stance.
Of course, that means the Land Cruiser, Ford Bronco and, inevitably, the Defender are used as comparisons.
Dachet also said that Chinese brands often study international 4×4 legends, then reinterpret the familiar proportions and design “codes” in a way that becomes recognisable as their own.
In this instance, Geely’s designers have aimed for a look that appears muscular and tough without seeming overly aggressive.
One of the more distinctive touches is the concept’s 3D daytime running lights, intended to give a more expressive look – while putting a modern spin on the classic round-lamp theme.
Curiously, Dachet links the lighting idea to “dancing dragons” in Chinese culture.
The production car is expected to soften some of these elements and it’s also likely to be slightly narrower than the show car.
Inside, Geely is promising a more comfortable, premium-leaning cabin compared to the Defender’s more basic interior, with the concept featuring plenty of physical controls and a prominent centre control island – similar in spirit to the lovely Lamborghini Urus.
Mechanical specifications have not been fully confirmed, but Geely has indicated the Battleship will sit on its latest GEA Evo architecture – also used by the Galaxy M9 luxury SUV.
That includes steer-by-wire, brake-by-wire, four-wheel steering and manoeuvres such as crab-walking and tank turns in the manner of the electric Mercedes G-Class.
Geely has also discussed using AI to decide how the plug-in hybrid system should operate – switching between pure electric, range-extender operation and hybrid drive depending on the terrain.
Prototypes are also being run in Chinese deserts, including dune-jumping tests – which the company claims have exceeded expectations for tackling difficult terrain.
Ultimately, the Battleship is being framed as Geely’s first major step into the 4×4 space rather than a one-off, with additional off-road models said to be considered.
Geely is owned by Chinese behemoth Geely Holding, which also owns Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, Proton and Smart, among others.
