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It’s not every day that you get to watch a Guinness World Record develop right before your eyes. But that’s exactly what happened last Friday in Melbourne, where Geely received official recognition for winning a brand new world title: the lowest fuel consumption of a plug-in hybrid SUV on the Sydney-Melbourne coastal route.
The new global hybrid model Geely Starray EM-i Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUV completed the 1056km journey with just 3.83L/100km, as confirmed by official Guinness judges.
It’s a number that gives people pause mid-conversation, mostly because it calls into question what we think hybrids can actually do in the real world.
So it wasn’t just another press event. It was equal parts celebration and genuine admiration for a car that quietly redefines expectations.
A world record-worthy ride
The “Coastal Drive” from Sydney to Melbourne is one of Australia’s most spectacular long-distance journeys. It’s a mix of winding national parks, sea views, rural towns, steep climbs, fast sections and, inevitably, traffic chaos as you approach the cities of Melbourne or Sydney.
It is also undoubtedly a real test of a car’s endurance and efficiency.
Personally, it is one of my favorite routes in Australia. As someone who spends a lot of time traveling long distances and exploring regional roads for work, I know how varied and challenging this journey can be.
There are corners that require precision, long straights where efficiency and safety are important, and hills that punish any underpowered driver.
The fact that Geely chose this particular route for a record attempt says everything about its confidence in the new Starray EM-i. This was not a calm, controlled loop. It wasn’t a completely flat test track. This was the coast of Australia in early summer with heat, wind, traffic jams, hills and everything in between.
The car behind the record
The Starray EM-i is Geely’s first global plug-in hybrid SUV. It has a 29.8 kWh battery paired with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and a hybrid system designed to switch between electric and gasoline power without the driver feeling it.
The records prove not only that the system is efficient, but that it remains efficient in the real world. Long climbs, fast overtaking maneuvers and stop-and-go traffic are the moments when most hybrid vehicles start to skid.
Inside it is comfortable and well equipped. The interior has the feel of a modern hybrid SUV: big screen, clean lines, supportive seats and a smooth ride that can only be achieved when driving on electric power.
Plenty of trunk space, enough charging ports for family trips, and smooth transitions between modes make it practical for everyday drives, not just headline moments like this.
If you’re thinking about making the trip from Sydney to Melbourne or a longer road trip, this is the kind of cabin that will keep you and your passengers happy for hours.
The world record moment
The moment before the announcement was surprisingly emotional. I grew up with the Guinness World Records books and, as a primary school child, I waited anxiously with friends in the school library for the New Year’s edition to come out.
And even as an adult, I still felt that excitement as media, engineers, brand partners and tech lovers gathered around the SUV as the Guinness World Records certificate was released.
There’s something special about seeing a world record recognized in person. People told me after the announcement, “I didn’t think it could actually do that” and “That’s great for a hybrid.” And honestly, that feeling permeated the room.
Many brands claim that their vehicles can handle efficient long-distance journeys on one tank of fuel or one charge. Very few take this claim and test it before the world with independent adjudication on a route that thousands of Australians travel every year.
Geely didn’t just say it, it proved it.
The journey that tested it
To make this official with Guinness, two independent witnesses were in the car for the entire 24-hour journey, as required by regulations. Every stop, every change in the weather, every measurement was documented and checked.
While there is a full technical explanation of how the hybrid system behaves in every part of the drive, what matters is:
From Royal National Park to Wollongong: Long climbs and open roads where the engine and electric motor worked together for maximum efficiency.
Through the rolling hills of Gippsland: Lots of opportunities for the car to regenerate energy on descents and store energy for later sections.
Approaching Melbourne: Heavy traffic where the Starray EM-i switched to electric-only mode at low speeds, saving fuel when it mattered most.
These are driving conditions that every Australian is familiar with. And that’s exactly why this record feels more relatable than most claims of efficiency – it took place on the same roads the rest of us take on vacation.
What Geely says it means
At the event, Geely Automobile Research Institute Energy Control Department Director Dong Wan spoke about why this achievement is important, and his message was clear.
This hybrid system works because its hardware and software work together efficiently, adjusting power delivery from moment to moment so that the engine always operates in the most efficient operating range.
It’s not an easy trick; It’s a series of small, intelligent decisions that the car constantly makes: when to use electrical energy, when to generate energy, when to take over the gasoline engine, and when to run both.
The result was a world record on a route that was as everyday as it was iconic.
More than a certificate
The Starray EM-i has already recorded more than 114,000 sales worldwide by November 2025. It has been well received in markets across Europe, Asia and South Africa and now Australia, positioning Geely as a fast-growing competitor in the hybrid space.
But the world record not only adds credibility, it also sends the message that hybrid technology is still evolving, still competitive and still capable of surprising people.
For drivers, this means lower operating costs and more confidence on long journeys.
For Geely it is a milestone in the international launch.
And for the entire industry, it’s a reminder that efficiency isn’t just marketing, it’s measurable.
We didn’t just watch a record being set last week. We’ve seen a hybrid SUV prove that innovation isn’t slowing down – and that holds true for the future of efficient long-distance travel.
MORE: Discover the Geely Starray EM-iShowroom
