In a statement made by Proton to clarify yesterday’s announcement of Zeekr as part of Pro-Net’s future plans in Malaysia, Proton said they planned to accelerate their plans to introduce NEVs (New Energy Vehicles) to Malaysia. This includes the possibility of introducing multiple models from Geely’s wide-ranging EV portfolio but not necessarily Zeekr.
Could the Radar RD6 be one of the vehicles under consideration for a Malaysian introduction? The Radar RD6 made its debut in July 2022, and is basically an electric pickup truck built on Geely’s SEA platform.
It measures 5,260 mm long, 1,900 mm wide and 1,830 mm tall with a wheelbase of 3,120 mm, whcih makes it about the same size as a double-cab version of the Toyota pick-up, which measures 5,325 mm long, 1,900 mm wide and 1,815 mm tall with a wheelbase of 3,085 mm.
If you think this interior looks familiar, you’re right – it’s the exact same interior as the Proton X90, which is based on the Geely Haoyue. Thus, is there a market for a Proton-badged pickup version of the Radar RD6 in Malaysia? But bear in mind it would be a fully electric car instead of sharing the 48V hybrid ICE engine as the Proton X90.
Currently, all available variants of the Radar RD6 on sale are powered by a single rear motor, producing 272 PS, which propels the electric pick-up truck along the 0-100 km/h acceleration benchmark in 6.9 seconds.
Three battery choices are available for Radar RD6 buyers in China; and these are 63 kWh, 86 kWh and 100 kWh. These offer maximum range figures of 400 km, 550 km and 632 km respectively, with the largest battery variant supporting DC charging at up to 120 kW, while the maximum AC charging rate for the RD6 is 11 kW.
The Radar RD6 also provides a 6 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) electricity output, enabling the pick-up truck to charge other EVs as well as power external electrical devices.
In terms of cargo space, the Radar RD6 takes equivalent of up to 1,200 litres in the cargo tray, and without a combustion engine in the front of the vehicle, it can take an additional 70 litres of luggage space in its ‘frunk’.
However we hear from unofficial sources that the payload capabilities are relatively low compared to proper body on frame pickups, which is understandable since this is not built from a proper ladder frame pickup platform.
But still, the Radar RD6, or Proton P90 as we would imagine it to be called in Malaysia (P = Pickup variant of the X90), would certainly be capable enough to serve as a lifestyle vehicle for people who just want to do light offroading to a camping spot, or bring their bicycles around for trips.
Geely has already said that the Radar RD6 is export-ready. Since the interior has already been converted to right hand drive for use in the Proton X90, and there already exists conversions to Type 2 AC/CCS2 DC charging in the SEA platform parts bin for use in the smart #1, we think it would be not a tough effort for it to eventually carry a Proton badge.
The question is, is there a market for it in Malaysia? Would you buy an electric pickup truck for lifestyle usage? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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definitely will buy. The range is impressive.
‘Radar’ is a nice and seems sophisticated word. ‘Proton Radar’ or ‘Proton Radar P90’ will be a beautiful name.
Proton Radar EV. I’ll be the first to buy this if Proton rebadge it.
I can see the VW Amarok macho face… Super nice.
Hang bukan x taw. kitorg kelantan & Kedah xkan beli kete kapir China komunis,
This P90 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_P90 will shoot down all competition.
Raptor juga produk kapir.
bos, your keyboard and mouse pun buatan China komunis; macam mana nak keyboard warrior sekarang?
The only P90 I’d like to have is made by FN.
Kalaupon Proton rebadge pickup ni & harga bawah RM120K tpi selepas tahun 2026 nanti, kena bayar road tax mahal nak mampos!!… Potong stim betol!!
Since the platform is the same with X90, it make sense for P1 to produce it. Call it P90 Arena,and using the same powertrain as X90.
‘Radar’ is a nice and seems sophisticated word. ‘Proton Radar’ or ‘Proton Radar P90’ will be nicer.
Dual motor option please.
Definitely can sell,
cheaper than $39k stainless steel Tesla cybertruck
mestila beli kalau harganya berbaloi…kalau dah 200k mungkin tak la kot…
Nope i wont buy
lmao Proton put a gun name on a car? like bruh
Why jelly bruh? Ur car not M16?
Should bring in polestar, lynk co
P90? Y not U90?
“payload capabilities are relatively low”
Meaning what? 500kg payload compared to the usual 1t payload of diesel pickup trucks?
If price below RM70k for this NEV truck, then people can buy it since its affordable
Kalo harga below proton ok lah.. facility charging tu dah tersedia boleh le beli. Kalo Tak umm Tak yah le..
Yes would definitely buy the Radar
geng dap suka la ni, byk keta komunis masuk
Malaysia mundur sebab ada manusia seperti kau
So what? You bring contribution much to Malaysia? If not for the so-called minority, Malaysia will not achieve what we have right now.
Looking forward to the new P90!! … affordablelity to
be considered.
Many people dont understand, this is not market as full fledged pick up car in China. It more of a lifestyle vehicle, with rear cargo space. So dont compare this with pick up car. This vehicle actually picking up a lot of buyer in China
just rebadge it as Proton Arena.. its time to revive the Arena model
It can sell here as a lifestyle pickup like the Ranger Raptor, not as a workhorse like the Hilux.
Need improve for durability and reliability.
It is an interesting proposition if it can be priced cheaper or around the incoming X90 (due to lower taxes for pickup truck). I will definitely consider it
Very unique rear end! I love that!
Can sell lah. Roadtax kasi free lah
Take my money now!
Very interested to buy. When will the model be launched in MY?
I wouls love to own one. When will the model be launched in MY?
Please bring this Proton P90 to Malaysia!
Want this in Canada desperately
very interested to buy one upon arrival here in the Philippines.
Nice, when is it available in Malaysia and what is the price?