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Radical technology and massive tri-motor outputs could make for a crazy BYD Shark 6 competitor.
Geely is going BYD Shark 6 hunting, with a new-generation of off-road vehicle architecture revealed at the 2026 Beijing motor show, which is destined to underpin future off-road capable models from the Chinese car maker.
The Geely line-up in Australia currently comprises two mid-size SUVs, the electric EX5 and plug-in hybrid Starray EM-i, with the EX2 small electric car due later this year.
This new off-road platform indicates a move into larger vehicles and SUVs with an increased focus on off-road capability.
It could form the basis of a forthcoming ute model, which could tackle the successful BYD Shark 6 head-on.
Using plug-in hybrid power, this new Geely off-road platform is capable of delivering up to 1000 horsepower (745kW) via three electric motors. There is one ‘P3’ electric motor is located at the front, while the rear has two ‘P4’ electric motors.
‘P3’ references an electric motor that is positioned on the gearbox output shaft, while ‘P4’ refers to an electric motor mounted directly onto an axle or hub.
The platform – which appears to form the basis of a monocoque, rather than a ladder chassis common on utes – includes a mixture of high-strength and ultra high-strength steel, double-wishbone independent suspension front and rear, and "AI-driven torque distribution to each wheel".
Similar to the BYD Shark 6 and Denza B5/B8, this new Geely off-road architecture has no mechanical connection between the front and rear axles.
Instead, there is a large battery located in the centre of the chassis, and front and rear drive elements operate independently.
However, the BYD Shark 6 (as well as the Denza luxury SUVs) have only two electric motors for a lower system output.
Visible on the Geely chassis at the show is also a Hydraulic Motor Power unit, which could point towards hydraulically-controlled suspension elements.
While details are still unclear, this kind of system could provide control of damping, body control or ride height, or a combination of all three.
Curiously, a ‘floating propeller’ is also shown on the display chassis, which indicates that future models could be aiming to float through large bodies of water like what is seen with the Yangwang U8, an SUV from another BYD brand.
Sam Purcell has been writing about cars, four-wheel driving and camping since 2013, and obsessed with anything that goes brum-brum longer than he can remember. Sam joined the team at CarAdvice/Drive as the off-road Editor in 2018, after cutting his teeth at Unsealed 4X4 and Pat Callinan’s 4X4 Adventures. Off-road writer of the Year, Winner - Sam Purcell
