Geely’s sub-brand Geometry is jumping on the trend of rugged micro-EVs with the Panda Knight. The new variant of the Panda urban EV trades cuteness with off-road-inspired looks, sending Ford Bronco vibes despite the notable size difference between the two. Compared to the standard Geely Panda that debuted in December 2022, the Knight edition has several redesigned components on the exterior, creating an off-road flair. The new face retains the round LED headlights although they are now integrated into a fake grille finished in unpainted plastic, just like the off-road bumpers and the wider fender extensions.
The recovery points, bonnet handles, roof
rails, side-mounted staircase, and rear spoiler help the EV stand out even
further thanks to the lime green accents. Geely also added a new five-spoke
design for the alloy wheels which retain the same small diameter. The tiny
wheels in combination with the regular ground clearance make it hard to justify
the crossover looks which are there only for the show. The greenhouse, doors,
sculpted fenders, and lighting units are carried over from the standard Geely
Panda, although they fit well with the new components.
The add-ons make the Panda Knight slightly
longer, wider, and taller compared to its cute sibling. However, it is still
quite small measuring 3,135 mm long, 1,565 mm wide, and 1,655 mm tall with the same 2,015 mm wheelbase. Despite the tiny footprint, the interior can accommodate up to four
passengers, with the cargo space growing to an impressive 800 lt when the rear seats are folded. Amenities include an 8-inch touchscreen
for the infotainment, an elongated 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster, A/C,
new color combinations inspired by nature, and a version-specific pattern for
the faux leather seat upholstery.
Geely fitted the Panda Knight with the
stronger available electric motor in their urban EV lineup, producing 40 hp and 110 Nm of torque. Similarly, they opted for the
larger-capacity 17.03 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack which is good for
an electric range of 200 km under the CLTC protocols. The market
launch of the Geely Panda Knight in China is scheduled for early September
2023. Pricing is expected to be higher than the standard version which retails
between ¥ 39,900-56,900 (US$ 5,470-7,800) depending on the trim. The main rival of
the Geely Panda Knight will be the slightly larger Baojun Yep from SAIC-GM, although
it’s likely that more brands will follow the same pattern with more
rugged-looking urban EVs in the near future.
