Peter Lyon
May 30, 2025
The handle may sound a bit over the top, but Geely really did just name its latest plug-in hybrid SUV the Radar King Kong EM-P. It’s the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant of the existing King Kong/RD6 electric pickup truck, and according to CarNewsChina, it’ll enter international markets under the global Riddara brand, to be known as the Riddara RD6 EM-P.
The King Kong EM-P is available in three different models, with normal or extended bed choices and it costs between RMB139,800 (about RM82k) and RMB159,800 (about RM94k) in China.
The Radar King Kong’s PHEV powertrain, which consists of a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, a dedicated hybrid gearbox (DHT), and two electric motors driving all four wheels, is the primary distinction from the completely electric (EV) version, which debuted in Thailand last year as the Riddara RD6.
With a total output of 354 horsepower and a supercar-equalling 914 Nm of torque, this series-parallel configuration enables the King Kong EM-P to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds and reach 100 km/h when fully loaded in 8.6 seconds.
With a 60-liter petrol tank and a 19.09 kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, the King Kong EM-P has a 1,068-kilometer combined range in hybrid mode and a 100-kilometer pure electric range under the more forgiving (slightly too generous) CLTC testing cycle.
The Radar King Kong EM-P’s fuel consumption rating is 1.5 L/100 km when the battery is fully charged and 6.4 L/100 km when it is not.
Additionally, the pickup truck may supply up to 22 kW of vehicle-to-load (V2L) power. Snow, Mud, Off-road, and Sand are its four off-road driving modes. Geely claims that a King Kong EM-P can climb a 45-degree embankment when empty and a 33-degree incline when fully loaded with a maximum capacity of 1,000 kg.
With the exception of redesigned air intakes on the front grille and bumper, the Radar King Kong EM-P’s exterior is essentially the same as that of its EV sibling. When equipped with the normal bed, the pickup truck’s dimensions are 5,260 mm long, 1,900 mm wide, 1,865 mm tall, and 3,120 mm in wheelbase.
The length expands to 5,500 mm and the wheelbase to 3,310 mm with the extended truck bed. For comparison, the Toyota Hilux in Malaysia undercuts this figure.
A 10.2-inch LCD driver’s digital gauge cluster and a 14.6-inch touchscreen entertainment system display are among the inside amenities of the Radar King Kong EM-P, which can accommodate five passengers.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
As the name suggests, the King Kong is a tough-looking off-roader ready for any surface you throw it at. And with 914Nm of torque it has the hauling power any owner would be satisfied with. Boasting 4 drive modes, impressive climbing angles and a competitive price, the King Kong really takes the battle to its arch rivals like the Toyota Hilux.
