V6 hybrid locked in for new Geely ute

Geely has confirmed a new ute under development for the Riddara sub-brand will use a hybrid engine, likely based around the company’s brand-new V6. The larger ute will expand Geely’s pick-up offering beyond the China-focussed RD6 and is expected to spearhead the Chinese conglomerate’s entry to the Australian ute market in 2028.

Geely has confirmed to carsales that the brand’s next-generation ute will sensationally adopt hybrid power via a six-cylinder petrol engine, setting up a new Riddara model to be clearly differentiated from the BYD Shark 6 in the Australian market.

While the brand has experimented with ute models, it’s been biding its time on introducing a Ranger and HiLux rival.

“We are thinking of using the hybrid system to develop the next generation pick-up,” Geely Holding Company executive vice-president and spokesperson Victor Yang said while discussing the Horse V6.

That hybrid system is now taking clearer shape following the reveal of the new-generation twin-turbo 3.0-litre ‘W30’ V6 petrol engine developed by Horse Powertrain; a joint venture between Geely and Renault.

The V6 supports mild and full hybrid systems, transverse and longitudinal layouts, and produces up to 400kW/700Nm.

Those numbers do not include the contributions from hybrid systems that can be bolted on. The V6 is intended to be paired with high-output electric motors, opening the door to total system outputs well beyond rivals.

Yang confirmed the V6 can be expanded to a V8 engine without much engineering overhead for the company, but questioned whether it was necessary.

Instead of entertaining the idea of a top-end V8 model to sit above the V6, Yang hinted the Riddara model might instead include a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain from the Zeekr 8X, which produces up to 1030kW of power.

“The power output from the Zeekr 8X is much more than [a] V12. With the better driving experience from [the] electric powertrain, you will see we will have a different but attractive offering for the pick-up range in the future,” he said.

Geely Australia has previously acknowledged strong interest in a suitable ute product.

“Long driving range, towing capacity, loading capacity and off-road [capability] is definitely the demand from my point of view,” then-local CEO Lei Li said in September.

“If we want to be a big player in the market, we definitely need this product. We need a product to fit in this segment.”

Development work is ongoing for the new Riddara model ahead of a possible market launch in 2028 – the same year the Horse V6 will enter production.

If realised as expected, Geely’s new dual-cab will enter an increasingly complex and competitive segment in Australia.

The model will face both upgraded versions of the successful BYD Shark 6 PHEV, established legacy utes like the Ford Ranger, and expected entrants like the GAC Pickup 01.

*Lead image generated by AI

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