At Auto China 2024 in Beijing, we managed to take a look at the most recent Geely Panda Mini fashions, the Panda Knight and Panda Kart, the latter being launched on the present. The corporate’s low cost and cheerful EVs have been round since late 2022, however that is the primary time we’ve clapped our eyes on them.
They’re definitely tiny – the Knight measures simply 3,135 mm lengthy, 1,565 mm large and 1,655 mm tall, with its wheelbase a scant 2,015 mm lengthy. The bespoilered Kart mannequin is barely longer at 3,150 mm (it’s additionally 15 mm narrower and 30 mm taller, the latter on account of sizeable rear wing), however they’re nonetheless minuscule – by comparability, a Perodua Kancil is 260 mm longer in size and wheelbase.
Each vehicles are apparent derivatives of the Panda Mini, sharing that automotive’s spherical headlights, clamshell bonnet, pill-shaped physique aspect indentations, body-coloured B-pillar “fin” and C-shaped taillights. The place they differ are of their styling remedies, with the Knight taking up a rugged mini-4×4 bent.
The orange automotive you see right here sports activities the compulsory black plastic physique cladding (with a cool speckled end), chunky entrance and rear bumpers, a brand new entrance “grille” with six raised “dashes”, a rear spoiler and 14-inch two-tone alloy wheels.
Then there are the bits that push the Knight into ridiculous Ford Bronco-aping territory, such because the bonnet-mounted seize handles, tow hooks, roof rails and even a ladder on the driving force’s aspect. These look to be merely ornamental, nevertheless – I wouldn’t suggest you placing any type of load on them, and you must positively chorus from climbing that ladder.
In the meantime, the Panda Kart seems to be prefer it’s prepared for the race observe, with particulars like a deep entrance air dam, aspect skirts, pretend entrance fender vents and a sizeable rear diffuser, plus the aforementioned rear wing. The flat hubcaps for the metal wheels additionally characteristic a cute design that mimics the directional buttons on a sport controller. You additionally get pink accents all through when you select the black paint.
Regardless of the look-faster bits, all Panda Mini fashions get the identical entrance motor, producing 41 PS (30 kW) and 110 Nm of torque – barely sufficient for them to succeed in a prime velocity of 100 km/h. On the flip aspect, each the Knight and Kart get the most recent Mini’s upgraded 17.03 kWh battery, which delivers a variety of 200 km on China’s lenient CLTC cycle.
They can be DC quick charged at as much as 22 kW – taking the battery from 30 to 80% cost in half-hour – whereas a 6 kW AC wallbox can cost the Panda Knight and Kart from 20 to 100% in 4 and a half hours. The cost ports are situated on the entrance, the place you’ll additionally discover the “Geome” badging; the vehicles are offered via each Geely and Geometry channels.
All Panda Mini fashions are similar on the within, save for some minor trim and color adjustments. Which means you get a barebones four-seater cabin totally made out of onerous plastics. Regardless of this, it seems to be fairly fashionable, helped by the fitment of an eight-inch freestanding infotainment touchscreen and a slimline 9.2-inch LCD instrument show.
You additionally get some nice-to-have mod-cons, similar to computerized air-con, energy home windows (auto down, however not up) and a rotary gear selector, though the handbrake remains to be a handbook lever. You additionally get a surprisingly respectable quantity of rear seat area; this comes on the expense of boot area, which is virtually non-existent with all seats up.
It’s within the security division the place the Panda Mini fashions let the aspect down. There’s only one airbag for the driving force (the passenger will get a few storage cubbies as a substitute), and you’ll overlook about having autonomous emergency braking – you don’t even get stability management!
The flip aspect is that the Panda Mini fashions are low cost. There aren’t any costs for the Panda Kart but, however the Panda Knight retails at 53,900 yuan (RM35,500). That may make it an excellent candidate for an inexpensive Proton electrical car, though the nationwide carmaker must modify it to move UN ECE laws – assume twin airbags and stability management on the minimal.
What do you assume – ought to Proton convey within the Panda Mini fashions to take Perodua head-on? Pontificate within the feedback after the soar.
GALLERY: Geely Panda Knight at Geely Driving Expertise 2024
GALLERY: Geely Panda Kart at Auto China 2024
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