Latest news with #Riddara
The Citizen
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Riddara RD6 electric bakkie penned-in for Nampo showing
South Africa's first-ever fully electric bakkie will be a double cab-only with either rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive. Announced last month as being lined-up for introduction in May, Enviro Automotive has confirmed that the all-electric Riddara RD6 bakkie will make its first public showing at the Nampo Agricultural Expo in Bothaville in the Free State from this coming Tuesday (13 May). 'The Riddara 4×4 electric bakkie is not merely an addition to our lineup; it's a declaration of intent. It unequivocally demonstrates the power and versatility of electric vehicles in tackling even the most demanding tasks,' Enviro Automotive Head of Sales, Francois Malan, said in a statement. Announcing well-known plant and agricultural firm Turner Morris as its distribution partner, Enviro Automotive further stated that it has 'implemented significant price reductions' across the RD6 range, which it adds makes it a 'compelling and economically sound alternative to [its] internal combustion engine counterparts'. South Africa's first EV bakkie While shown with a plug-in hybrid powertrain at the Shanghai International Motor Show last month, the RD6, known as the Radar Horizon in China, will be an EV-only offering in South Africa a choice of two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive. On-sale in its home market since 2022, the Geely-owned brand's newcomer rides on the unibody Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform developed by fellow brand Zeekr, and first introduced to South Africa last year as the underpinning for the Volvo EX30. ALSO READ: Riddara RD6 plugged-in as South Africa's first electric bakkie Seemingly not affiliated to Geely's imminent return to the local market, the double cab-only RD6 has a claimed payload of 1 030 kg, a tow rating of 3 000 kg, wading depth of 815 mm and ground clearance of 225 mm. Capable of accommodating 1 200-litres in its loadbin, the lack of an engine translates to an additional 70-litres of storage underneath it bonnet. Spec Known specification items on both variants will include the following: dual-zone climate control; keyless entry; push-button start; LED head and taillights; six-speaker sound system; 10.25-inch instrument cluster; leather upholstery; tyre pressure monitor; electric driver's seat; reverse camera; rear parking sensors drive mode selector (Eco, Comfort and Sport) Pictured four-wheel-drive will be fitted from the off with a 14.6-inch infotainment display. Image: Enviro Automotive Building on the two-wheel-drive, the four-wheel-drive will feature four additional off-road driving modes; Sand, Mud, Wading and Off-Road, Matrix LED headlights, an eight-speaker sound system, and the following safety and driver assistance systems: Automatic Emergency Braking; Adaptive Cruise Control; Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Reverse Automatic Braking; Lane Keep Assist Front Collision Warning; Lane Departure Warning Blind Sport Monitoring; Lane Change Assist As standard, the two-wheel-drive comes equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment system and the four-wheel-drive with a 14.6-inch display, neither with Android Auto that is substituted by the Carbit Link mirroring app. Apple CarPlay integration is, however, standard. One or two motors On the power front, the initial range will consist of two powertrains; the single-motor powered by a 73-kWh lithium phosphate battery pack, and the dual-motor that adds a secondary electric motor to the front axle. In the two-wheel-drive, the RD6 will produce 200kW/384Nm and get from 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. The claimed top speed is 185 km/h and the all-electric range 424 km. With the added electric motor, the four-wheel-drive develops 315kW/595Nm, which will allow it to get from 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. The claimed all-electric range mirrors that of the two-wheel-drive, while the top speed is pegged at 190 km/h. Supporting DC charging up to 110 kW, the RD6's battery will require 30 minutes waiting from 30-80%. In addition, the setup's vehicle-to-load capability allows for as much as six kilowatts to be fed back into the grid. More soon Set to be sold with a five-year/150 000 km warranty and an eight-year/200 000 km battery warranty, expect details about the RD6's price tag to be announced soon. ALSO READ: Welcome back: Geely returning to South Africa before year-end
The Citizen
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
China's Riddara RD6 to become 1st double-cab EV bakkie in SA
In almost complete silence, Geely's Riddara sub-brand will become the first to offer an all-electric (EV) double-cab bakkie in the South African market, with the introduction of the RD6. Looking for a new or used Jetour? Find it here with CARmag! Enviro Automotive has announced that it will be bringing the Riddara RD6 4×4 Double Cab into South Africa, which will become the first fully electric 4×4 bakkie in the country. Built by the Geely Auto Group on a Volvo-derived platform, the Riddara RD6 will make history in South Africa, becoming the first zero-emissions powertrain employed in a commercially sold double-cab bakkie. The model is capable of dispatching the 0–100km/h sprint in just 4.5 seconds, while the automaker claims it still retains the brawn and functionality of a traditional bakkie, although it is worth noting that this isn't founded on a ladder frame construction. Nonetheless, it is backed by a five-year/150 000km vehicle warranty and eight-year/200 000km battery warranty, with Enviro Automotive claiming real-world battery life is expected to stretch even further than that. Power in the 4×4 is generated courtesy of a 315kW dual-motor powertrain, which also delivers 595N.m and can hit a top speed of 190km/h. All of this is superficial for prospective bakkie buyers, the bed is capable of swallowing 1 200l or carrying a one-tonne payload while the bakkie can tow a maximum three tonnes. Enviro Automotive adds that the Riddara RD6 itself, in both 4×4 and 4×2 guises, promises to blur the line between performance vehicle and utility bakkie and break away from ladder-frame traditions for added driving smoothness and agility. 'The Riddara 4×4 electric bakkie is not just a new model – it's a statement,' says Francois Malan, head of sales at Enviro Automotive. 'Our partnership with Turner Morris ensures these vehicles aren't just technological showcases, but practical tools ready for the realities of African roads and businesses.' The bakkie will be displayed for the first time at the Nampo Harvest Day this week, alongside the business-oriented SRM T3 EV bakkie. Related: Enviro Automotive's All-Electric SRM T3 Bakkie Lands in SA Enviro Automotive adds that its EV lineup will see pricing reductions, courtesy of maturing battery tech and favourable trade conditions. This means that business-oriented panel vans like the DFSK EC35 panel van will be even more compelling for prospective buyers, according to the automaker. Enviro Automotive says that the model will see a R105 000 reduction during a current promotion, which also makes it the most affordable commercial EV in the country for now. Related: Road Test: Jetour X70 Plus 1.5T Deluxe In addition to this, Enviro Automotive has announced its strategic partnership with Turner Morris and hopes this collaboration will increase their footprint, with a combined 30+ outlets and workshops throughout South Africa. Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! The post China's Riddara RD6 Will Become First Double Cab EV Bakkie in SA appeared first on CAR Magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
