New Chinese bakkie goes on sale – and it’s the 2nd most powerful in South Africa

Chinese auto giant Geely has finally introduced its new-energy (NEV) bakkie brand, Riddara, to South Africa’s market.

The fully electric bakkie arrived with three double-cab derivatives, including rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive options, with prices for the Chinese bakkie starting from R611,900.

Geely Auto South Africa COO, Greg Maruszewski, explained that the Riddara range changes the local conversation around electric bakkies and the familiar bakkie formula.

“Electric vehicles have always had the potential to deliver exceptional performance, but the Riddara demonstrates that this doesn’t have to come at the expense of the qualities that make a bakkie so versatile,” he said.

“It delivers the performance and dynamic response of a high-performance car, but it can also carry more than a tonne, tow up to three tonnes and tackle demanding terrain. For us, that combination is what makes the Riddara genuinely different.”

He added that it is not an attempt to turn a passenger car into a bakkie, or simply replace a diesel engine with an electric motor. Instead, the range has been engineered around a new-energy bakkie architecture.

Electric performance

The entry-level Riddara Aspire Econ 2WD is fitted with a single electric motor producing a very respectable 180kW and 309Nm, which it sends to the rear wheels.

In the middle of the range is the Aspire Econ 4WD, which utilises two electric motors that combine for 280kW and 485Nm, making it the country’s third-most powerful bakkie, to drive all four wheels.

At the top of the range is the Riddara Apex RD6 4WD, fitted with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system producing a combined 315kW and 595Nm, second only to the BYD Shark 6 – another Chinese NEV bakkie.

This powerful drivetrain enables a 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 4.5 seconds with Highway Terrain (HT) tyres in ideal operating conditions, which puts its acceleration in the realm of the hottest hatches.

According to Geely, the system can switch from two-wheel drive to all-wheel drive in 20 milliseconds and intelligently distribute torque according to driving conditions and available traction.

The electric double-cab features dedicated drive modes including Economy, Comfort, Sport, Sand, Mud and Off-road, and boasts 225mm ground clearance and 815mm wading depth.

Beyond its performance credentials, the Riddara RD6 offers practical capability with a payload of up to 1,030kg and towing capacity of up to 3,000kg.

The entry-spec model is fitted with a 63kWh battery, enabling a total range of 369km on the NEDC cycle, or 314km according to WLTP standards.

The two all-wheel-drive models make use of a 73kWh battery, with NEDC ranges of 424km (360km WLTP) for the Apex RD6 and 390km (332km WLTP) for the Aspire Econ.

These batteries support DC fast charging up to 110kW, enabling rapid recharging, while 6kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability lets owners use the RD6 as an energy source to power appliances and households.

The bakkie’s high-voltage electrical system is rated to IP67, while its power battery carries an IP68 protection rating, allowing it to tackle challenging conditions, including sandy or wet terrain.

Features

Geely has styled the Riddara bakkie range to move beyond the traditional design language of a conventional bakkie.

It is also on the bigger end of the country’s double-cabs, measuring 5,260mm long, 1,900mm wide, and 1,880mm high, and sporting a 3,120mm wheelbase.

The result is a more SUV-like design, with a broad and upright stance, distinctive LED lighting and an integrated cargo bed.

Aspire buyers can choose from three external finishes – black, white and silver – with only one interior finish – black.

The flagship model adds green, blue and grey paint jobs, as well as green, tan and refined black interiors.

It also features a 14.6-inch infotainment display, a 10.2-inch digital driver display, wireless charging and an eight-speaker audio system in the Apex derivative.

The second row features flat-floor architecture and is designed to be more accommodating, offering more space for rear passengers.

Additional features and finishes on the Apex include a panoramic roof, leather upholstery and ventilated front seats, as well as 48 litres of under-seat storage and a 70-litre frunk (front trunk).

Pricing

South African prices for the Geely Riddara range are as follows:

• Riddara Aspire Econ 2WD – R611,900
• Riddara Aspire Econ 4WD – R681,900
• Riddara Apex RD6 4WD – R781,900

These prices include a 6-year/150,000km vehicle warranty, 8-year/200,000km battery warranty, 6-year/120,000km service plan, and 5-year unlimited km roadside assistance.

Geely Riddara