LEADING THE CHARGE

Following a 10-year hiatus, Geely has made a bold return to South Africa with its Riddara sub-brand's RD6 all-electric bakkie

- Marius Boonzaier

Through local electric vehicle (EV) dealer Enviro Automotive, the Geely brand has returned to South Africa after an absence of around 10 years, and the car leading the charge comes in the shape of the Riddara RD6, the first battery-electric bakkie in SA.

The local RD6 line-up will initially be exclusively offered with a 73 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery and the choice of two powertrains: the RWD single motor model developing 200 kW and 348 N.m of torque, and the AWD with a combined 315 kW and 595 N.m from its two axle-mounted, permanent magnet synchronous motors.

According to the company, these figures allow the RWD and AWD versions to sprint to the three-figure marker from a standstill in 7.3 and 4.5 seconds, respectively, before topping out at 185 (RWD) and 190 km/h (AWD).