The advent of electric micro-cars in China: a closer look at the Panda Mini and its sporty variant
The buzz around Chinese electric urban vehicles continues with intensity and promises an exciting future for this category of transport. A notable player in this dynamic is the Panda Mini in its dynamic version called “Karting,” which stands out with a sporty look. It is the sister of the Panda Mini Go Kart from the Geely margin, which we introduced a few weeks ago.
A plethora of urban micro-cars
China constantly offers new electric micro-cars, a phenomenon that could soon reach Europe, subject to approval of homologation standards. Geometry, a company from the Geely group founded in 2019 and which has already presented notable electric models like the Geometry C electric SUV, is attracting interest.
The Panda Mini shows its claws with the “Karting” version
The Karting variant showcases a sporty presentation, inspired by karting vehicles, with an emphatic line thanks to black decorative elements and a decorative rear spoiler. In terms of dimensions, the Geely Panda Karting spans a length of 3.15 meters, a height of 1.54 meters, and a width of 1.68 meters with a wheelbase of 2.01 meters.
A modern and connected cockpit
The control room features a 9.2-inch digital dashboard coupled with an 8-inch touchscreen, including navigation functionalities and Bluetooth connectivity. Moreover, interaction with the vehicle is possible via a mobile application allowing remote locking, horn, and turn signal activation.
Technical specifications and range
Propulsion of the Panda Karting comes from a 40 horsepower engine with 110 Nm of torque. It offers two driving modes, Normal and Sport, accompanied by an adjustable regenerative braking system on three levels. With a 17.03 kWh battery, it claims a range of 200 kilometers according to the Chinese CLTC cycle. In reality, the expected range is around 170 kilometers. For charging, a 30-minute session allows going from 30 to 80% charge at a power of 22 kW.
A competitive price and limited sales
The price of this Panda Mini would start at 39,900 yuan, equivalent to around 5,478 euros, while the Karting version would be estimated at 8,500 euros, positioning itself below the price bar of a model like the Citroën Ami. Its sales are currently limited to China, but the possibility of seeing this model arrive in Europe in the future cannot be excluded.