Geely, the Chinese company behind the likes of Lotus and Volvo, is readying RADAR, an electric pickup truck.
The RADAR (yes, it’s all capitals) is a new pickup sized a little below the likes of the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, looking more like a rival to the US-market Hyundai Santa Cruz.
It’s understood that the chassis is shared with some of Geely’s other products, including the new Smart #1, which confirms that the RADAR won’t be a rugged go-anywhere pickup truck, but rather a lifestyle-friendly vehicle designed for more gentle pursuits.
The ‘spy’ shots of the disguised RADAR – supplied by Geely – show the pickup with bicycles mounted above the cargo box, backing up the theory that this won’t be a truck for lugging loads.
As it shares so much with the Smart #1
, it would be safe to assume that the battery pack is a 66kWh unit, which is enough to provide the Smart with a range of 273 miles. With a less slippery shape than the Smart, and a little extra weight, the RADAR might achieve 240-250 miles, still leaving it as a perfectly usable daily vehicle.
The electric motor in the Smart #1 develops 272hp with 343Nm of torque, giving a 0-62mph time of six seconds. Assuming the motor is shared with Geely’s new electric pickup, performance will be ahead of any current truck.
The Geely RADAR isn’t confirmed to be coming to the UK, or even Europe, but a growing demand for lifestyle pickups, as well as the constant push to move to electric power, means it’s being evaluated. Other manufacturers, including Kia, Hyundai and Ford, are also considering entering the potentially lucrative market.
- Thirteen wonderfully ordinary vans and pickups spotted at the Festival of the Unexceptional
- Volkswagen Transporter gains first plug-in hybrid option
- Iveco banking on truck-style backup for eJolly and eSuperJolly
- UK van market returns to growth but electric transition still lags
- Ineos Grenadier and Quartermaster cleared for UK blue-light use
