Project Overview
Geely Galaxy M9 is an innovative AI-powered 6-seater flagship SUV that harmonises Eastern elegance with cutting-edge technology, crafted to meet modern families’ needs. Collaboratively designed by Geely’s Shanghai and Milan design centres, the M9 is the result of a seamless creative dialogue across cultures and time zones. It blends Eastern and Western aesthetics into a unified visual language, redefining what a 6-seater SUV can offer in terms of space, styling, and intelligence.
Organisation
Geely Automobile Holding (Shanghai) Co.,Ltd
Team
Zheng Chen, Zi Ye, Rong Ma, Jiawei Li, Marius Torterat, Kang Jun, Chuanxi He, Xiaoying Song, Xin Zhao, Pino Nicola Pira
Project Brief
As family structures become increasingly diverse, the demand for vehicles that accommodate larger travel has increased. Consumers now expect higher levels of intelligence, spacious comfort, and versatility. Vehicles have evolved beyond simple transportation; they’ve become mobile extensions of the home where family members connect and create cherished memories. In this evolving landscape, Geely Galaxy M9 redefines the value in the premium family SUV segment with three core advantages: “Decent Presence,” “Space Equality,” and “Intelligent Safety.”
- It pioneers the “Aesthetic Common Denominator,” blending Eastern and Western aesthetics. For instance, its lighting system merges the Chinese imagery of a starry Milky Way with the Western impressionist inspiration of Van Gogh’s Starry Night, creating a distinctive lighting language that speaks across cultures and captivates global users.
- Recognising that Chinese family trips are about bonding, the M9 introduces its “Three-Courtyard Premium Space,” a revolutionary interior layout offering equal comfort across all three rows. This turns every seat into a premium experience, establishing a new benchmark for spaciousness in 6-seater SUVs and enhancing the family travel experience.
- The M9 represents the pinnacle of intelligent safety technology. Built on the GEA Evo architecture, it features an AI digital chassis, the revolutionary Geely EM AI Super Hybrid 2.0 system, and an advanced AI-powered cockpit system. These industry-leading electrification and intelligent technologies create a comprehensive intelligent ecosystem that doesn’t just meet current expectations—it anticipates future needs, establishing an entirely new paradigm for what a flagship 6-seater SUV can deliver.
Project Innovation/Need
The M9 marks a breakthrough in Geely’s design thinking. Rather than starting with fixed exterior dimensions, the design begins from the inside out—centred on the people who matter most: the family. The guiding question is simple but profound: What kind of space truly meets modern families’ needs? That user-centred mindset shapes every aspect of the interior layout.
Inspired by the spatial logic of traditional Chinese “Three-Courtyard Mansions,” the M9 reimagines this concept for a modern 6-seater SUV cabin. The result is a thoughtful interior layout that maximises spaciousness, comfort, and harmony on every journey.
- In the first row, the driver and front passenger enjoy a premium experience with an integrated 30-inch ultra-wide screen, a dedicated refrigerator, and seats featuring leg supports, massage functions, and heating, improving driving control and personal comfort.
- The second-row seats are ergonomically designed based on traditional Chinese armchairs, with an 11-layer structure including slow-rebound memory foam for even pressure distribution and lasting comfort.
- Unlike conventional SUVs that compromise on third-row space, the M9 offers full-sized third-row seating and complete functionality. The 1.07-meter seat width, flat flooring, and oversized side windows transform the typically cramped space into a comfortable zone with unobstructed views.
Design Challenge
- The primary challenge was ensuring an SUV over 5.2 meters long wouldn’t look bulky. To this end, the design team raised the skirt line to one-third of the vehicle’s height, subtly lifting the visual centre of gravity for a more balanced feel. The exterior features clean, carefully controlled, and deliberately restrained lines—free from excess or visual clutter. The result is a presence that’s both decent and compelling. With a 1:1.2 window-to-body ratio, the side profile appears tall and poised, never overwhelming, while inside, passengers enjoy a bright, spacious, and open atmosphere—proving that substantial dimensions don’t have to come at the cost of elegance.
- To resonate with users across diverse cultures, the project was co-led by Geely’s Shanghai and Milan design centres—two creative hubs, one unified vision. This cross-cultural collaboration gave birth to a visual language that speaks to global users on both emotional and aesthetic levels. For example, the “Ripple of Galaxy” full-width light is inspired by the Eastern imagery of a starry Milky Way, while echoing the beauty of the famous Western masterpiece “The Starry Night.” Crafted with a 3D structure and micro-hole laser engraving, it glows with a dynamic, galaxy-like effect—more than just illumination, it’s a design element that combines emotional connection with cultural depth.
Sustainability
For sustainability, Geely Galaxy M9 makes extensive use of eco-friendly water-based paints, low-VOC interior materials, and recycled fabrics, thoughtfully chosen to reduce environmental impact without compromising comfort or quality.
With its lightweight engineering and AI-powered energy management system, the vehicle achieves a remarkable 4.8L/100km fuel efficiency and a maximum range exceeding 1500 kilometres, perfectly balancing performance with energy efficiency. Geely Galaxy M9 delivers a premium and responsible solution for green mobility.
Product Design - Technology
This award celebrates creative and innovative design for either a component or overall product. Consideration given to aspects that relate to human usage, aesthetics, selection of components and materials, and the resolution of assembly, manufacturing and the overall function.
More Details