Geely Targets Younger Drivers With Go Kart-Inspired Panda Mini EV

China's mini EV sector is getting bigger and improving as carmakers continue to iterate affordable small electric cars that are perfect for most individuals' daily commuting needs. Geely's quirky Panda Mini EV joined the growing list of cute EVs available on the Chinese market in 2022. It was sold under the Geometry marque but badged as "Geome," and the company has since extended the Panda lineup with the Little Yellow Duck Limited Edition, Panda Knight, and Dragon Edition.

The newest member of the Panda family is the Go Kart Edition, an aggressive-looking four-seat mini EV with a fancy livery and motorsport-inspired styling. But despite the meaner appearance, the Panda Mini Go Kart Edition doesn't benefit from any power or chassis modifications, meaning prospective owners will get the same performance as that offered by the standard model.

Based on the same boxy shape common in mini-cars, the Go Kart Edition is a playful, sportier twist on the popular micro EV. The highlights of the new model include a sporty roof-mounted wing, a redesigned front bumper with larger intakes and a more protruding wind splitter, and a set of 14-inch wheels with purple-and-white rims. A set of tiny fins can be observed on the hood, faux side gills are visible on the doors, and the wheels are now tucked under fender extensions.

The new edition retains the same 2,015 mm (79.3-inch) wheelbase as the standard Panda Mini EV, but due to the aero modifications, it boasts an increased length of 3,150 mm (124 inches) and a width of 1,540 mm (60.6 inches). It is also 85 mm (3.3 inches) taller than the standard model at 1,685 mm (66.3 inches) due to the top tail wing. It is still quite small, but the boxy design allows it to fit four passengers inside.

The images released by Geely showcase the Go Kart Edition with racing black paint as the base complemented by purple stripey trim. According to the carmaker, the special model will be available in two more exterior colors - adventure white and furious grey - also coupled with purple graphics.

The interior, on the other hand, boasts a glamorous and stylish look with salmon-colored plastics and white patches on the seats. Since this is a car targeted at young consumers, the dashboard preserves the 8-inch central control screen with wireless screen projection, sensorless interconnection, navigation, voice control, music listening, and more, which are enough to meet their daily entertainment needs. A 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a steering wheel with a dual-spoke design, and a knob-type shift mechanism are also part of the interior.

The unique styling and cheerful color scheme of the new Panda Mini are sure to appeal to younger drivers. What's more, its small dimensions guarantee easy, agile maneuvering in urban environments.

As mentioned before, there are no power upgrades to look forward to. The Go Kart edition is equipped with the same electric motor with 40 hp (30 kW / 41 ps) and 110 Nm (81 lb-ft) of torque as the stock model. No detailed specifications were provided for this new model, but the standard Panda Mini EV comes with a 17.03 kWh battery pack that ensures a range of up to 200 km (124 miles).

Geely has not yet disclosed information on the pricing and availability of the new Panda Mini Go Kart Edition. However, chances are it will only be available on the Chinese market, just like previous models in the range. Cost-wise, the Panda series ranges from 29,900 – 56,900 yuan (which is approx. US $4,100 – 8,200 at current exchange rates).