Is the Radar Horizon EM-P plug-in hybrid pickup coming to PH?

Earlier this year, we officially confirmed that United Asia Automotive Group Inc. (UAAGI) was appointed the Philippine distributor of the Radar brand. This means that aside from Lynk & Co, UAAGI is now also the distributor of Geely's EV lifestyle brand in the country.

Known for their electric pickup trucks like the RD6, UAAGI can capitalize on the growing electrified car market in the Philippines by introducing the Radar brand. But plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are also proving to be a popular choice among buyers as of late. With that, UAAGI could also offer the Radar Horizon EM-P, and we have good reason to believe plans are already in motion to have it launched in the country.

Recently, we received information that UAAGI was approved for an upcoming light-duty vehicle, which translates to a pickup truck. However, unlike most pickups, which typically feature a turbo-diesel engine, the upcoming light-duty vehicle from UAAGi will be powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine, which has a displacement of 1.5 liters. It also has a reference weight of around 2,205 kg, which makes it quite a hefty vehicle.

After crunching the numbers and conducting some research, it appears that the Radar Horizon EM-P may be on its way to the Philippines. Unlike the RD6, which is a fully electric pickup truck, the Horizon EM-P is a plug-in hybrid, which pits it directly against the likes of the BYD Shark 6.

Official specifications are not yet available from UAAGI, but based on what the PRC gets, the Radar Horizon EM-P has a 1.5L turbocharged three-cylinder that's assisted by a pair of electric motors and a 19.09 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery. It has a combined system output of 260 kW or 353 PS and a whopping 914 Nm of torque. Radar claims that from a standstill, the Horizon EM-P can hit 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds without any cargo (8.6 seconds when fully loaded) and comes with a three-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT).

Speaking of cargo, Radar says the Horizon EM-P is rated to haul up to 500 kg, but it has also been designed to carry up to 1,000 kg easily without tilting. With a fully charged battery and a full tank of gas, the Radar Horizon EM-P has a combined range of over 1,000 km and can travel on battery power for up to 100 km based on the CLTC cycle.

When it comes to infotainment, the Radar Horizon EM-P is powered by the brand's Galaxy OS and comes with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, along with a 14.6-inch touchscreen media display. Other features, such as a 540-degree panoramic camera system, high-quality leather upholstery, contrast stitching, and a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function that supports up to 220V, are also available in the Radar Horizon EM-P.

With plug-in hybrids continuing to become more popular in the country, UAAGI's plan to introduce the Radar brand with plug-in hybrid pickups could prove to be popular among pickup truck buyers.