2024 Riddara RD6 electric ute primed for Oz

The 2024 Geely Radar RD6 – the all-electric dual-cab ute now known as the Riddara RD6 in markets outside China – has taken another leap towards the Australian market, with the Geely Holding Group this week confirming the battery-powered pick-up will enter the Thai market in November this year.

As one of the world’s few major right-hand drive markets outside of the UK, Japan, India, South Africa and Australia, Thailand is shaping up as one of the last stops for new Geely group products on their way to Australia and/or New Zealand.

The Chinese auto giant’s Zeekr luxury EV brand was recently confirmed for Australia just a week after its Thai introduction.

And yesterday Geely took to its social media channels to confirm the Riddara RD6 would be released in Thailand this November, following its launch at the Thailand International Motor Expo.

“Hello, Thailand! Riddara, the top-selling new energy pickup truck in China is arriving! Stay tuned for our grand show-off at the 41st Thailand International Motor Expo 2024!” the brand said in a Facebook post accompanied by a shadowy silhouette and a ‘hello Thailand’ banner.

Right-hook production of the RD6 started in early April and was announced simultaneously with the model’s export-specific name change.

Unsurprisingly, the ‘Riddara’ nomenclature has already been secured for use in Australia by Geely, the trademark application for which dates back to June last year, however, the RD6 nameplate hasn’t been applied for here yet.

Whether or not the monocoque chassis-based ‘lifestyle’ pick-up ends up being badged and sold here with Riddara or Geely badges remains to be seen, but we do know its battery-electric powertrain is based around a single 200kW/384Nm electric motor and two battery options with different capacities.

The entry-level power source is a 63kWh lithium-ion unit offering up to 385km of range according to the generous CLTC standard, while a bigger 86kWh battery brings a claimed 517km of range.

Both powertrains are claimed to hit 100km/h in 7.6 seconds and can be fast-charged from 30-80 per cent in roughly 30 minutes when using DC power, but a maximum charge rate hasn’t been nominated.

The export-spec RD6 measures 5260mm long, 1900mm wide, 1865mm tall and rides on a 3120mm wheelbase, making it roughly the same size as a Mazda BT-50 and Isuzu D-MAX dual-cab, despite the lack of a ladder frame underneath.

Ground clearance is rated at 220mm, braked towing capacity at 2500kg and payload at between 755-775kg, depending on the battery pack.

Suspension duties are handled by MacPherson struts up front and a coil-sprung multi-link rear-end.

Multiple grades and trims are likely to be offered, but equipment highlights listed on the model’s global landing page include leather upholstery, a digital instrument cluster, powered sunroof, brushed aluminium-look trim, sat-nav, a widescreen infotainment system, disc brakes at all four corners, Matrix LED headlights and 6kW/220V vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities.

While the pricey and lacklustre LDV eT60 pioneered the genre, a number of other battery-electric dual-cab utes are headed Australia’s way within the next year or two, including EV versions of the upcoming 2025 BYD Shark and Kia Tasman.

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