Geely Starray Facelift Gets AWD and 230 km EV Range

Geely Starray EM-i Facelift: Proton eMas 7 PHEV Twin Gains AWD and 230 km WLTP EV Range

The Geely Starray EM-i, known in Malaysia as the Proton eMas 7 PHEV, is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) manufactured by Geely and locally distributed by Proton. This mid-size SUV serves as the twin model for Proton's electrified lineup, solving the need for a fuel-efficient, electrically-capable family vehicle compatible with Malaysian road conditions and 240V power standards. A facelift leak from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) reveals significant mechanical upgrades, including all-wheel-drive (AWD) and a larger battery pack, signalling future enhancements for Malaysian consumers.

Key Facts

The following table consolidates the confirmed specifications from the MIIT filing and leaked images, detailing the current and upcoming variants of the Geely Starray EM-i as reported by Paul Tan's Automotive News.

What Are the Exterior Design Changes in the Facelift?

The facelifted Galaxy Starship 7 adopts a boxier front bumper design consistent with the leaked Geely EX5/Galaxy E5 revamp, featuring a full-width U-shaped trim piece that frames larger main headlights and corner air inlets, while the rear styling remains unchanged apart from new wheel options.

According to the MIIT filing sighted by Autohome, the redesign focuses on aligning the front fascia with Geely's newer design language. The update is purely aesthetic for the exterior, with no reported changes to the vehicle's rear section or body dimensions.

The facelifted Proton eMas 7 PHEV twin introduces a boxier front bumper with a full-width U-shaped trim, while retaining the existing rear design.

How Does the New 40.06 kWh Battery Improve the Electric Range?

The new 40.06 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack delivers a WLTP-rated pure electric range of approximately 230 km, a substantial increase over the current model's maximum 136 km range offered by the 29.8 kWh unit.

This upgrade positions the facelifted Starray EM-i as a direct competitor to full-electric urban commuters while retaining the flexibility of a petrol engine for longer journeys. The larger capacity directly addresses range anxiety for Malaysian drivers who may have limited access to public charging infrastructure, particularly outside of Klang Valley.

"This compares favourably with the current model, which has a WLTP electric range of 83 km with the base 18.4 kWh pack and 136 km with the 29.8 kWh unit."

— Paul Tan's Automotive News, reporting on the MIIT filing

The 40.06 kWh LFP battery more than doubles the maximum electric-only range of the current global Starray EM-i, climbing from 136 km to 230 km on the WLTP cycle.

What AWD System Does the Facelifted Version Get?

The facelifted Galaxy Starship 7 adds an all-wheel-drive (AWD) variant, which reduces the pure electric range to 210 km due to the additional rear motor's weight and energy consumption.

No official powertrain details were disclosed in the MIIT filing, but reports assume the AWD system employs the same 109 PS/150 Nm rear electric motor announced for the Australian-market Starray EM-i. This would be paired with the front motor producing 218 PS/262 Nm, alongside an upgraded Chinese-market version of the 1.5-litre BHE15-BFN naturally-aspirated engine generating 111 PS and 136 Nm of torque.

The AWD system is expected to combine a 218 PS front motor with a 109 PS rear motor, matching the recently announced Australian-spec Starray EM-i.

Will the Facelift Reach Malaysia?

It is currently unconfirmed whether the facelifted Starray EM-i will be exported to Malaysia for the Proton eMas 7 PHEV, which was launched locally in February 2026.

The Malaysian-market Proton eMas 7 PHEV already benefits from the larger battery option (introduced from launch) and AWD capability as part of the global model's progressive updates. Given that CKD production began in Tanjung Malim in July 2026, Proton may opt to incorporate these facelift changes into the local manufacturing cycle, though this has not been officially announced as of the report's publication.

The facelift's arrival in Malaysia remains speculative, as Proton only launched the eMas 7 PHEV locally in early 2026 and has not confirmed adoption of the updated global components.

Who Is This For in Malaysia?

This vehicle targets Malaysian families seeking a PHEV with genuine electric-only capability for daily urban commutes, particularly those living in landed properties with access to home charging (240V supply), while retaining a petrol engine for intercity travel on highways like the PLUS and North-South Expressway.

With the current model priced from RM105,800, the facelift's increased battery capacity would make the eMas 7 PHEV a more compelling alternative to full EVs for buyers concerned about the availability of DC fast chargers outside major cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru. The AWD option adds appeal for those seeking enhanced traction during Malaysia's monsoon season.

• Ideal for: Suburban families with landed homes, daily commuters, and drivers wanting PHEV tax incentives.
• Key local benefit: The projected 230 km EV range covers a typical KL-to-Seremban round trip entirely on electricity.

For Malaysian drivers, the facelift's 230 km EV range effectively eliminates the need for petrol during daily commutes and provides a safety buffer for unexpected detours in tropical traffic.

Common Questions

Does the Proton eMas 7 PHEV currently sold in Malaysia have the 40.06 kWh battery?

No. The Malaysian-market Proton eMas 7 PHEV launched in February 2026 offers a larger battery at launch compared to the global base model, but the 40.06 kWh pack is a new facelift update. The current Malaysian variant's maximum WLTP range is 136 km with the 29.8 kWh unit.

Will the facelifted Starray EM-i maintain the RM105,800 starting price in Malaysia?

No pricing details for the facelift have been announced anywhere, including China or Malaysia. The RM105,800 figure refers to the current CKD Proton eMas 7 PHEV sold in Malaysia, and any price change for the updated model will depend on Proton's local cost structure.

Is the AWD system in the facelift the same as the one announced for Australia?

No explicit confirmation exists, but reports assume the facelift uses the same AWD hardware as the Australian-spec Starray EM-i, featuring a 109 PS rear motor and a 218 PS front motor. This combination is expected to deliver 299 PS combined output.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based exclusively on the reporting of Paul Tan's Automotive News, which sighted a MIIT (China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) filing via Autohome. No independent verification of the leaked specifications was possible. Currency conversions and Malaysian pricing data are derived from the original source; no USD-to-RM conversions were required as all cited prices are already in Ringgit Malaysia.

This article was last updated on 09 September 2026. Localisation decisions for Malaysia reference the Proton eMas 7 PHEV CKD production status and launch pricing as disclosed in the source material.