Duck-tastic Panda Mini: Geely's Quirky Spin on Electric Cars
In the world of electric vehicles, there are cars that are fast, and there are cars that are practical. And then there's the Panda Mini from Chinese carmaker Geometry, which is neither of those things but is definitely cute. Now, they've gone and made it even cuter by releasing the Panda Mini Little Yellow Duck Limited Edition at the Shanghai Auto Show, proving once again that in China, anything can be turned into a cartoon character. This wheeled duckling is aimed at that mysterious Gen Z market, who apparently enjoy driving around in cars that look like they've escaped from a Saturday morning cartoon.
The Little Yellow Duck edition is inspired by W.T. Duck, one of the main characters from the cartoon series of the same name. The car's exterior has been given a full duck treatment, with a face on the driver's door and the eyes and beak printed on the other side. And of course, it's painted a vibrant shade of yellow. The wheels have been replaced with tri-spoke rims resembling a duck's webbed feet, and W.T. Duck lettering can be found on the outside.
Climbing inside this quacking contraption, you're greeted by yellow and black leather-like upholstery, with duck cartoons sprinkled throughout the cabin. The car comes equipped with a 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster, an 8-inch touchscreen, air conditioning, electric windows, an audio system, and even a panoramic sunroof – perfect for admiring the ducks in the sky as you waddle along.
As for the powertrain, you can choose from two battery options and two power outputs. The Little Yellow Duck edition is available with either a 9.61 kWh or 17.03 kWh battery, and the single electric motor churns out a blistering 27 hp (20 kW / 27 PS) or a slightly less pathetic 40 hp (30 kW / 41 PS). The range is either 120 km (75 miles) or 200 km (124 miles) under CLTC protocols, so don't expect to be migrating south in this thing. And remember, this is a small EV, measuring a diminutive 3,065mm (120.6 inches) long with a 2,015mm (79.3 inches) wheelbase.
If you're in China and want to buy a car that's guaranteed to make people smile, the Little Yellow Duck edition will set you back between RMB 53,900 (USD 7,800) and RMB 56,900 (USD 8,200), making it the priciest option in the Panda Mini lineup. In this pond of Chinese EVs, the Little Yellow Duck finds itself swimming alongside the popular Wuling Mini EV, FengGuang Mini EV, Chery QQ Ice Cream, and BAW Yuanbao. All I can say is, if this is the future of motoring, then I'll be driving a duck.
Yours truly,
Captain Electro.
