Geely's first real 4WD is here and it's gunning for the Land Cruiser
Geely's first serious 4WD SUV arrives as a production-ready off-roader, targeting the Land Rover Defender and Toyota Land Cruiser with electric power and serious capability claims.
Rob Leigh
Geely has pulled the covers off its first genuine off-road SUV, the Zhanjian 700, known internationally as the Battleship 700. It's the production version of the Galaxy Cruiser concept shown at the 2025 Shanghai motor show and it's aiming squarely at the premium end of the 4WD market.
Built on a ladder-frame chassis, the Battleship 700 is expected to run a tri-motor electric drivetrain, with a plug-in hybrid option also likely given that's what powered the original concept. Power output, battery capacity and range figures haven't been released yet.
Geely is calling it the brand's "first AI all-terrain hardcore SUV," which is a mouthful, but the underlying spec list is legitimately impressive if it carries over from the concept. That included independently controlled four-wheel steering, crab-walk functionality, on-the-spot 360-degree rotation, and an 800mm wading depth. There was even a "swimming mode" rated for 8.5km/h through water with up to two hours of floatation. How much of that makes production is still unclear.
Interior images confirm ride height adjustment, a locking rear diff, selectable low-range and tight-turn assistance. A console-mounted gear lever and physical drive mode dials suggest Geely has kept the tactile off-road interface buyers in this segment expect.
Styling draws heavily from the Land Rover Defender with rectangular headlights, circular DRLs, a single-bar grille, plastic body cladding and a rear-mounted spare. The Bronco's stepped beltline is also in the mix. It's familiar territory, but the execution looks polished.
Geely is positioning the Battleship 700 against the Defender, Land Cruiser and Chinese rivals including the Denza B5 and B8. A full debut is expected at Auto China in April, where pricing and full specs should follow.
Australian availability has not been confirmed. Geely has flagged broader SUV expansion for the local market, but right-hand drive timing for this model remains unknown.
If the production car delivers even half of what the concept promised, the Battleship 700 will be a serious contender in a segment that has needed fresh competition for years.
