Zeekr breaks cover on new electric SUV  

With a sleek futuristic design and tech-laden interior, it is one of two electric vehicles that Geely-owned Zeekr plans to introduce to the local market by the end of 2024.

Available in a rear-mounted single motor and a dual-motor variant, the Zeekr X has a 66 kWh lithium-ion battery that offers a range of up to 446 kilometres for the RWD variant and 425km WLTP for the AWD based on European WLTP tests.

While official pricing has not yet been announced, word on the street is that Zeekr is aiming to compete with Tesla’s Model Y SUV on price, rather than the budget end of the market. Expect a sub-$60,000 price for the long-range, RWD variant and sub-$70,000 for the AWD.

Built on Geely's Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) flexible platform designed for electric vehicles - which it shares with the Volvo EX30 - the Zeekr X gets a roomy interior and plenty of power.

In its standard configuration, the Zeekr X offers a rear-wheel-drive setup powered by a single motor. This setup cranks out 200kW power and 343Nm torque, while the all-wheel-drive variant ups the ante with 315kW power and 543Nm torque from its dual motors.

These specs give the RWD acceleration from 0-100km/h in a slick 5.6 seconds on 19” alloys and the AWD a whip-fast 3.8 seconds to 100km/h on 20” forged alloys.

The Zeekr X supports 150 kW DC fast charging, allowing you to juice up from 10% to 80% in around 30 minutes. If you’re planning to plug in overnight, the standard 7.2 kW AC onboard charger will take you from empty to full in about 11.5 hours. The all-wheel-drive model gets an upgrade to an 11 kW AC charger, reducing that time to 7.5 hours.

The battery, made by one of the world’s largest battery manufacturers, CATL, is a nickel-cobalt-manganese chemistry and comes with an eight-year, 160,000km warranty. At the battery’s end of life, Zeekr promises to recycle it in line with “global directives”. 

Sweeping air intakes and a panoramic roof, coupled with angular accents on the doors, give the Zeekr X typically electric appeal. Five colours are on offer for the exterior: white, beige, two greys and pine green. These can be paired with three interior colour combinations, depending on what exterior colour is chosen.

Inside, the Zeekr X's digital cockpit is powered by a Qualcomm 8155 chip, promising a responsive 5G-enabled interface to handle everything from navigation to media playback.

This powers a big 14.6” touchscreen for access to vehicle entertainment and controls, while an 8.8” screen allows the driver to view vehicle instruments.

Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes as standard, as does wireless phone charging, a 7-speaker sound system and rain sensing wipers.

Over-the-air updates allow new features to be rolled out without returning to the dealership while AI-powered voice control enables adjustments of climate control, media, and navigation, keeping hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Not to be left behind by Tesla’s tech-focused features, Zeekr has also added features like Theatre Mode and Sentry Mode, which activates cameras around the vehicle when it’s parked, recording any suspicious activity. Recordings are stored securely, accessible by the driver on a USB flash drive inside the vehicle. 

Standard with both variants are a plethora of safety and security features. These include:

• 7 airbags inc. front centre airbag
• Automated parking assist and parking emergency braking
• "Around view” monitor and digital video recorder
• Adaptive cruise control and automatic lane change
• Blind spot detection, front cross traffic assist and rear cross traffic assist
• Front and back collision mitigation support
• Door open warning and driver performance monitor
• Lane centering control, lane keeping assist and evasive manoeuvre assist
• Power child door & window locks
• Emergency brake light flash
• ISOFIX on outboard rear seats
• Top tether on all rear seating positions
• Low-speed pedestrian warning sound
• Seat belt reminder with pressure sensor
• Tyre pressure monitoring system

Additionally, both variants have memory mirrors that are heated, can fold and autodip. The driver’s seat can be power adjusted for the RWD, while in the AWD this extends to the front row passenger seat, and includes 4-way lumbar support and heating and ventilation for both front seats. The AWD variant also gets a heated steering wheel, while both have dual air climate control including B pillar rear air vents.

In the back, there is 361 litres of luggage storage available, which expands to 1182 litres with the rear seats down.  

While Zeekr has yet to announce the exact pricing for the Australian market, the Zeekr X is expected to be competitively positioned within the premium compact SUV segment.

Pre-orders will open in September, with the official launch set to coincide with the SXSW festival in Sydney this October. First deliveries are expected to follow shortly thereafter.

The Zeekr X will be joined by the Zeekr 009 luxury electric people mover later in 2024.