The Geely Panda Knight: When a City EV Thinks It's a Bronco
Alright, gather 'round, motorheads! Today we're diving into the world of electric vehicles that think they're off-roaders. Yes - imagine a Chihuahua wearing a lion's mane, and you've got the Geely Panda Knight.
Now, Geely's sub-brand Geometry decided to give the Panda - originally a cutesy urban EV - a makeover. They slapped on some off-road-inspired bits and bobs, and voila! The Panda Knight was born. It's like putting a lumberjack shirt on a toddler and expecting him to chop wood.
First off, let's talk about the face. The Panda Knight has round LED headlights integrated into what can only be described as a "pretend grille." It's made of unpainted plastic, just like its off-road bumpers and wider fender extensions. It's like someone watched a Ford Bronco commercial and thought, "Hey, let's do that, but smaller!"
The car also sports lime green accents on recovery points, bonnet handles, roof rails, and a side-mounted "staircase." Yes, a staircase. I can only assume this is for your action figures to climb up while you're stuck in traffic. And let's not forget the rear spoiler, which I'm sure adds at least 0.0001 horsepower.
The wheels? Oh, they're a hoot. Geely opted for a new five-spoke design, but they're still tiny. It's like putting roller skate wheels on a monster truck. The ground clearance is standard, so don't even think about taking this baby off-road unless you want to get stuck faster than you can say "electric range."
Speaking of range, the Panda Knight comes with a 17.03 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack, good for about 124 miles. It's powered by a 40-hp electric motor, which is like having a hamster on a wheel under the hood. But hey, it's an urban EV, not a drag racer.
Inside, you'll find an 8-inch touchscreen for infotainment and a 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The upholstery is faux leather with a "nature-inspired" pattern, which I assume means it looks like leaves or something. The interior can accommodate up to four passengers, and the cargo space grows to a not-so-shabby 28.3 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded. Not bad for a car that's smaller than most garden sheds.
Now, the Panda Knight is set to launch in China this September, and it's expected to cost a bit more than its less rugged sibling. Its main competition will be the slightly larger Baojun Yep. But let's be honest, the real competition is itself. Can it convince people it's more than just a city car wearing hiking boots?
So there you have it, the Geely Panda Knight: a tiny EV that thinks it's a Bronco. It's like watching a penguin try to fly; you can't help but cheer it on, even though you know it's never going to happen.
Yours truly,
Captain Electro
