Geely’s pickup truck brand Radar has a new name for overseas markets – Riddara. And it looks like it’s getting a right-hand drive version. Riddara will be participating in the 41st Thailand International Automobile Expo in November.
Pickup trucks are hot in Thailand and ICE pickups have controlled over 40% of the Thai car market. Geely is hoping that Riddara can persuade some of the purchasers to go the electric route and will be emphasizing the use of the truck as an electrical discharge system for work and leisure.
The Riddara RD6 (see specs) is available in both 2WD (Scion) and since earlier this year 4WD (Horizon) versions. Currently, we have no news on the product plan for Thailand but the Riddara English website is only showing the 2WD version. The pickup rides on the Multiplex Attached Platform (MAP) which is derived from Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform as used by the Zeekr range, and the new electric Smart and Lotus cars. As such the pickup is not a traditional body-on-frame type truck and has a monocoque construction. Theoretically, this means it is unlikely to be as capable off-road as other Chinese electrified pickup trucks such as the BYD Shark and the JAC T9.
Battery capacities are currently 63, 73 and 86 kWh although the platform itself can reportedly support up to 140 kWh. 2WD versions have a 200 kW electric motor on the rear axle and 4WD versions use an additional 115 kW motor on the front axle. Ranges vary according to battery pack and whether the truck is 2WD or 4WD but are between 415 and 560 km.
Towing capacity for the Horizon (4WD) is 3,000 kg and the payload is 865 kg. With the dual motor setup acceleration is a brisk 4.5 seconds. Wading depth is 815 mm and the no-load climbing degree can reach 95%, and the full-load climbing degree can reach 65%. A super external discharge function on the Horizon version can provide maximum power of 21 kW which allows the pickup to operate as a far more effective work tool providing on site electrical power.
The pickup measures in at 5260, 1900 and 1865 mm (l/w/h) and the wheelbase is 3120 mm. For the pickup bed the size is 1525, 1450 and 540 mm.
Chinese prices for the Riddara RD6 range from 151,800 yuan (20,870 USD) up to 221,800 (30,500 USD). Thailand is likely to operate as an initial market after which we can expect sales in further Southeast Asian markets and Australia.
Editor’s note:
We’re really not too sure what to make from the Riddara website. With the 4WD already on sale it seems strange that Geely would only launch the 2WD version overseas, especially as its capabilities are significantly lower. Towing capacity is down at 2500 kg and payload is 775 kg. Additionally, it only offers 6 kW electrical discharge. Even stranger is that the ranges on the website are down on the figures we have in our database and on the Chinese Internet, even though according to the Riddara website the ranges are using CLTC.
Car News China has also discovered that Geely registered the Riddara trademark internationally over a year ago.
“We’re really not too sure what to make from the Riddara website. With the 4WD already on sale it seems strange that Geely would only launch the 2WD version overseas”
It seems Geely is starting with a slow rollout of Riddara. If there is enough interest in the 2WD and demand for the $WD grows, then the latter model will enjoy a large rollout. There’s no need to flood the market with the whole lineup and you can’t sell everything.
Agreed, but why not then go for the more capable 4WD?
The RD6 was also announced for Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, under the very same Riddara name.
To add, Lynk&Co is going to be launched in Chile in September.
Riddara now seems to be the name. It is also the domain name for the Chinese website.