Riddara RD6 to launch in SA next month as fully electric, high performance double cab

South Africa's first fully electric, high performance double cab bakkie is set to launch in May: meet the Riddara RD6.

A product of Chinese auto giant Geely, the Riddara RD6 will be distributed in South Africa by Enviro Auto, which currently retails the compact Dayun S5.

The newcomer will be the second electric double cab to enter the SA market, after the Maxus T90. Yet unlike the latter, which is a traditional body-on-frame one-tonner, the RD6 is a unibody product. It is also significantly more powerful than the 150kW Maxus.

The RD6 will be available in 4x2 and 4x4 configurations, with the latter boasting a dual-motor powertrain that produces 315kW and 595Nm. This allows a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.5 seconds, making it the quickest-accelerating bakkie on the market.

The newly introduced BYD Shark 6, for the sake of comparison, does the deed in 5.7 seconds.

The Riddara RD6 4x2 model has a single electric motor mounted on the rear axle, and this offers up 200kW and 384Nm.

Both versions will be fitted with a 73 kWh battery that allows for a claimed range of 424km between charges. When connected to a 110kW fast charger, the battery can be recharged in just 30 minutes, Enviro Auto says.

The importer also has plans to introduce a long-range 86 kWh 4x4 model in the near future, as well as a more affordable 63 kWh 4x2 version.

As for all the work-related stuff, the RD6 has a 1,200 litre load bin that's rated to carry a tonne, and the towing capacity is listed at 3,000kg. The vehicle also has a 70 litre 'frunk' and 48 litres worth of storage capacity in the vehicle itself.

The all-important pricing for the Riddara RD6 will be announced shortly, Enviro Auto says.

The EV bakkie will be sold with a comprehensive five-year or 150,000km warranty, with eight years or 200,000km worth of coverage for the battery.

Watch this space for further details once they become available.

IOL