Key Points
- The MY27 Geely Starray EM-i Inspire gains a 29.8kWh battery, lifting total WLTP range to 996km and pure electric range to 136km.
- DC fast charging speed doubles from 30kW to 60kW, with a 30–80% charge time of 16 minutes.
- The Inspire Extended Range is priced from $41,490 MSRP, a $1,500 increase over the outgoing Inspire, and arrives in dealerships from late May 2026.
Geely Auto Australia has confirmed a significant battery upgrade for the range-topping Starray EM-i Inspire, now badged as the Inspire Extended Range for Model Year 2027 (MY27). The new variant replaces the existing 18.4kWh pack with a 29.8kWh battery, boosting pure electric range from 83km to 136km (WLTP) and lifting total combined range to 996km. It arrives in Australian dealerships from late May 2026.
The entry-level Complete variant retains the 18.4kWh battery and its $37,490 MSRP. The Inspire Extended Range is priced from $41,490 MSRP, up $1,500 on the outgoing Inspire. All prices are before on-road costs.
Bigger battery, longer range
The 29.8kWh high-voltage battery is 11.4kWh larger than the pack fitted to the Complete and the outgoing MY26 Inspire. The extra capacity adds 53km of pure electric driving range and 50km of combined range over the previous Inspire.
Fuel consumption for the Inspire Extended Range drops from 2.4L/100km to 1.4L/100km on the combined cycle, a reduction of 42 per cent.
The 29.8kWh battery was first used in Australia during the Starray EM-i Guinness World Record attempt, in which the vehicle set the record for lowest fuel consumption by a plug-in hybrid production SUV on the Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive. The record attempt vehicle returned an average of 3.83L/100km across the varied road conditions of that route.
Faster DC charging
Peak DC fast charging speed increases from 30kW to 60kW on the Inspire Extended Range. Geely claims a 30–80% charge time of approximately 16 minutes. The Complete variant retains the 30kW DC charging limit.
MY27 specification additions
Both MY27 Starray EM-i variants gain the following new standard equipment:
- Mode 2 charging cable (5m length)
- Towing preparation
- Trailer stability assist
- Massage function for front seats (Inspire Extended Range only)
Pricing
The Starray EM-i range spans two variants for MY27. The Complete holds its existing price, while the Inspire moves to the Extended Range specification at a $1,500 premium over the outgoing Inspire.
Geely Starray EM-i MY27 pricing
Variant | MSRP |
Starray EM-i Complete | $37,490 |
Starray EM-i Inspire Extended Range | $41,490 |
Inspire Extended Range: what changed from MY26
The table below shows the key differences between the outgoing MY26 Inspire and the new MY27 Inspire Extended Range.
Geely Starray EM-i Inspire: MY26 vs MY27 Extended Range
Specification | MY26 Inspire | MY27 Inspire Extended Range |
Battery capacity | 18.4kWh | 29.8kWh (+11.4kWh) |
Pure electric range (WLTP) | 83km | 136km (+53km) |
Total combined range (WLTP) | 943km | 996km (+50km) |
Fuel consumption (combined) | 2.4L/100km | 1.4L/100km (-42%) |
Peak DC charging speed | 30kW | 60kW (+30kW) |
DC charge time (30–80%) | Not specified | ~16 minutes |
MSRP (before on-roads) | $39,990 | $41,490 (+$1,500) |
Front seat massage | No | Yes (standard) |
Where it sits in the market
The Starray EM-i Complete remains Australia's second-cheapest plug-in hybrid SUV at $37,490, behind the BYD Sealion 5 at $33,990. The Inspire Extended Range at $41,490 sits around $5,000 below the BYD Sealion 6 Extended Range ($46,990), which claims 128km of EV range on the NEDC cycle. It is more than $17,000 cheaper than the Mitsubishi Outlander ES PHEV ($58,990), which claims 86km of WLTP EV range.
Availability
The MY27 Geely Starray EM-i range is available for delivery from Australian dealerships in late May 2026.
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About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
