Zeekr is already a surprise success story in Australia, with the luxury offshoot of Chinese car giant Geely selling big numbers of its 7X luxury SUV.
But the brand is just getting started in our market, and will soon have one of the most imposing ranges of models in the high-end space.
Within 12 months Zeekr will double its range to six models, and not all of them are going to be fully electric.
The brand currently has the X compact EV, the 7X midsize SUV and the 009 prestige people-mover, but will soon add three models that I got to sample in China recently: the 7GT electric wagon, and a pair of huge plug-in hybrid EV SUVs – the 8X and 9X.
The latter could be likened to the Range Rover Sport and full-fat Range Rover models, while the wagon is a curious inclusion, but could find favour with EV-curious enthusiast customers.
Zeekr 7GT
First of all, this thing is stunning inside and out.
Its sleek body is described as a ‘shooting brake’, and it has a drag coefficient of 0.198,
making it one of the slipperiest station wagons ever made.
It will play the part of an alternative to the 7X SUV, likely costing a few thousand bucks less
than the equivalent high-riding version – so, possibly from about $60,000 to $70,000. Even
so, with its low-slung body, it’ll be a niche filler in the model range.
However, it will stand out with its range and performance figures.
The 7GT rear-wheel drive is expected to pack a 100kWh battery with 825km (CTLC) claimed
range, which will likely equate to just under 700km WLTP. It’s rear-wheel drive, with
310kW/440Nm – plenty!
The dual-motor fast one has 475kW/710Nm and all-wheel drive, enough to slingshot it from
0-100km/h in a claimed 2.84 seconds. Same big battery too, but possibly with less than
600km of range.
Both harness huge charging capability too, with up to 420kW DC recharge speed on offer –
enough to recharge 70 per cent of the battery in about 10 minutes.
But in Australia, we don’t yet have charging stations that’ll do that claim justice.
It feels sporty to drive, though I didn’t get to test the fast one. And the interior is spectacular,
too.
Zeekr 8X
This could be the sweet spot for pricing, specs, power and practicality – despite the fact it’s a huge SUV with only five seats.
The occupants will be pampered though, with high-grade models offering electric rear seat adjustment, heating, ventilation and massage functions, not to mention rear controls for window and sunroof shades, and a drop-down screen for entertainment. There’s a second screen for controls, too … plus there’s a fridge drawer!
Upfront, more of the same – tech, gear, and wow factor inclusions.
The red finishing in the flagship Dawn model tested was spectacular, and this felt like it could easily command a big price tag.
But it’s highly likely we’ll see this opulent model come in below the luxury car tax for the base grade, meaning a sub-$90,000 price for that version, with a faster one closer to six-figure territory.
Speaking of figures, this one uses a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine as part of a plug-in hybrid system, and the numbers are staggering.
The entry-level dual-electric-motor version has 660kW/935Nm and claims 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds by way of a hi-tech all-wheel-drive system.
If that’s too sluggish for you, the tri-motor has 1030kW and 1410Nm. Yes. You read that right. And it manages 0-100km/h in a claimed 2.96 seconds. I drove that one, and I can attest to the fact that it is bleep-inducingly quick.
The 8X also houses a huge battery, with up to 70kWh available and as much as 410km (CLTC) of EV range. Again, monstrous charging speeds, too.
Zeekr 9X
The most luxurious model in the range is unreservedly status focused.
With its enormous size, glitzy trim finishing and tremendous lighting technology, it looks a million bucks. You can expect it to cost a fraction of that, though – I’d expect it to be positioned amid Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9 models at around $120,000 … hopefully.
It isn’t fully electric – the same powertrains are offered in the 9X as in the 8X, and despite the fact that it weighs a few hundred kilos more and measures a little longer and taller, it can still hustle from 0-100km/h in either 3.7 seconds for the dual-motor or 3.1 seconds of the tri-motor.
It has three rows of seats, an abundance of inclusions, and enough soft-touch trimming to make you think you’re wrapped in your favourite doona.
It’s more agile than you’d expect for a circa-3.0-tonne SUV, and the adaptive suspension in the luxury version I tested felt a lot more agreeable than the sportier system in the 8X.
It might be the perfect Mosman mum bus or Toorak tractor, but with the backing of Geely, perhaps it’ll prove to be more reliable than the Rangie you’ve been longing for, and for far less money.
