Jun. 20, 2025
On June 20, the D1 Grand Prix Chengdu round officially kicked off. Attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony and delivering speeches were San-Ei Corporation President Kenji Suzuki from Japan, Jason International President and Chairman of the New Energy Vehicle Industry Development Promotion Center of the China Association of Equipment Management Xie Yu, Chief Promotion Officer of D1 Grand Prix China Xu Weizhou, and Zhang Jie, Deputy Director of the Brand Research Institute of Geely Radar Auto. The opening ceremony was joined by six new energy vehicle manufacturers, 18 drift teams, and 45 top drifting drivers from China and abroad.
(D1 Chengdu Station officially opened)
(The drift team is preparing to go on the track)
Zhang Jie, Vice President of Geely Radar Brand Research Institute, delivered a speech (left)
Xu Weizhou, Chief Recommender of D1 Drift Grand Prix China (right)
At the same time, the world’s first international-level drift show featuring mass-produced new energy vehicles delivered a stunning performance. More than just a visual spectacle, the event marked a roaring declaration of the transformation taking place in the global automotive industry—from traditional power to new energy.
As five cutting-edge NEV models—the Geely Radar Horizon, Chery Exeed Sterra ES, Geely Ruilan 7, Hyundai IONIQ 5 N from South Korea, and the NIO Onvo—took to the track and drifted with electrifying force, a powerful message echoed across the venue: In the era of new energy, China is leading the charge.
1. The Era of “Gas-to-Electric” Conversions Is Over
This groundbreaking debut of new energy vehicles on an international-level drift circuit carries revolutionary significance—it sends a clear message to the world: NEVs are far more than just urban mobility solutions. With performance rooted in pure electric platforms, these vehicles are fully capable of meeting the most demanding challenges in motorsports.
2. Chinese Power in the Spotlight
Among the five top-tier participating automakers, Chinese brands took center stage. Geely’s Radar and Ruilan, Chery’s Exeed, and NIO’s Onvo all showcased their prowess, while Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 N joined as an international representative. Together, they demonstrated China’s expanding global influence and technological leadership across the entire new energy industrial chain. The smoke rising from the drift circuit was not just for show—it symbolized the dust stirred by China’s automotive industry overtaking competitors on the curve.
1. Geely Radar Horizon:
Making history as the world’s first all-electric pickup to take on a professional drift circuit, the Radar Horizon delivered a sensational debut. Straight from the factory line with no modifications, its powerful drift performance astonished the entire arena—moving like a dragon across the track and reshaping global perceptions of EV capabilities.
(Radar Horizon drifting on the track)
2. Geely Ruilan 7:
This sleek electric fastback SUV transformed into an agile dancer on the drift course. With its rear-wheel-drive DNA fully unleashed in a cloud of tire smoke, the Ruilan 7 showcased a dynamic balance of elegance and raw performance rarely seen in the NEV segment.
(Geely Ruilan extreme cornering)
3. Exeed Sterra ES:
This high-end all-electric sedan delivered a seamless blend of elegance and power. With a calm exterior masking its formidable performance, the Sterra ES proved itself a dark horse on the track—its true capabilities far deeper than they appear at first glance.
(Sterra ES executing a controlled drift on the track)
4. Hyundai IONIQ 5 N:
As a benchmark for high-performance electric drive, the IONIQ 5 N made a commanding appearance on the track, showcasing impressive power and driving prowess that set new standards in the EV performance arena.
(Hyundai IONIQ 5 N preparing to enter a corner)
5. NIO L60:
Bringing track-level performance to a family car, the NIO L60 stands out as a powerful representative for the mass market, proving that everyday electric vehicles can deliver exceptional driving excitement.
(NIO L60 hugging the racing line through a corner on the track)
The spotlight of the event was the Geely Radar Horizon — the world’s first mass-produced all-electric pickup to challenge a top-level professional drift race! Even more astonishing, it conquered the demanding drift circuit perfectly in its factory-original state, without any competitive modifications. No extreme tuning, just pure power and precision! Behind this feat lies the pinnacle of China’s new energy “three-electric” technology:
“Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive” Electronic Control Technology:
Delivers millisecond-level torque response, making this “big beast” as agile as a leopard, with precise and controllable drifting and lateral movement.
Native Pure Electric Hanhai Platform:
Ensures continuous high-power output with no performance drop-off, providing full electric power throughout the entire drift.
Ultimate Battery Safety and Thermal Management:
The battery system remains rock-solid and stable under intense driving, keeping performance consistently online.
Robust Chassis and Body Rigidity:
The solid foundation of the native pure electric platform effortlessly masters extreme drift postures.
An electric pickup that can drift shatters the old stereotype of EVs as mere “electric tools”! The Radar Horizon proves with undeniable strength: China’s new energy sector is seriously serious about performance!
Drifting is the ultimate proving ground for new energy vehicle performance! Instant high-torque output, precise electronic control response, finely tuned chassis, and lasting power delivery — all come alive in the screeching roar of tires tearing across the asphalt. Doubts about “inflated” NEV performance specs vanish in the swirl of tire smoke—electric drive performance is now a visible, tangible reality!
The Key to Mainstreaming Motorsport
Drifting naturally possesses the genes to break into the mainstream, with its intense visual impact, relatively accessible participation threshold, and high entertainment value. The addition of new energy drifting brings the sport closer to everyday users riding the wave of electrification. When spectators see mass-produced models like the Radar Horizon tearing up the track, the sense of awe and identification is unparalleled. This is the perfect scene to popularize performance awareness, cultivate track culture, and ignite consumer passion.
Throttle to the Floor, Steering Countered!
The tire marks left by the world’s first new energy drift show are deeply etched on the circuit—and in the historic trajectory of automotive industry development. It’s not just a display of technology; it marks China’s new energy industry’s confident leap from “follower” to “rule-maker.” When mass-produced vehicles can dominate drift circuits without modification, and Chinese brands lead this electric drive performance feast, it is clear: the golden era of China’s new energy vehicles is coming at full throttle!
The competition continues on June 21 — everyone is welcome to come and watch!
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