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.
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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 (123.4 inches) long, 1,565 mm (61.6 inches) wide, and 1,655 mm (65.2 inches) tall with the same 2,015mm (79.3 inches) wheelbase.
Despite the tiny footprint, the interior can accommodate up to four passengers, with the cargo space growing to an impressive 800 lt (28.3 cubic feet) 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 (30 kW / 41 PS) and 110 Nm (81.1 lb-ft) 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 (124 miles) 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 ($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.
