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Zeekr, the first Chinese automaker in Australia to aim at the premium market specifically, has priced its first model, the X small electric SUV.
The Zeekr X shares its 'SEA' platform and much of its tech with the Volvo EX30 thanks to both brands being owned by Chinese giant Geely, however after much speculation, it is confirmed Zeekr will undercut its Volvo relation by a decent margin.
The X launches in two variants, a base RWD priced at $56,900 and a top-spec AWD, priced at $64,900, both before on-road costs, significantly undercutting the equivalent EX30 Single Motor ($66,290) and Twin Motor Performance ($71,290). Determined to make its mark, Zeekr also includes 12 months of unlimited network charging and a complementary 7.0kW home charger for pre-orders made by the end of October, 2024.
Both Zeekr X variants feature the same 66kWh battery allowing a 540km driving range (according to the ADR standards) for the RWD or a 470km range for the AWD.
The RWD is equipped with a 200kW/343Nm electric motor and can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds, while the AWD version’s second motor has it total 315kW/543Nm, reducing its 0-100km/h sprint time to 3.8 seconds.
Both cars can charge at a rate of 150kW allowing a 10-80 per cent charge time in 30 minutes, while on AC the RWD is limited to 7.0kW for a charge time in 11.5 hours and the AWD boosts this to 11kW, reducing its 'slow' charging time to 7.5 hours. Both variants support V2L, allowing them to power external devices.
Standard equipment on the base rear-wheel drive includes two-tone paint, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a panoramic glass roof, a 14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, seven-speaker audio system, wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate control, six-way power adjust driver’s seat, a connected services suite with a digital app-based key, an auto-dimming rear vision mirror and auto-dipping heated memory wing mirrors.
Additionally, the RWD can be equipped with a ‘Convenience Package’ ($4000) which adds six-way power adjust for the passenger seat, memory settings for the driver’s seat, four-way lumbar adjust as well as heating and cooling for both front seats, a heated steering wheel, an upgraded 13-speaker Yamaha-branded audio system and upgraded LED interior lighting.
Finally, the top-spec AWD adds 20-inch alloy wheels, a 24.3-inch augmented reality head-up display and an exterior B-pillar display (shows charging status among other things). It also adds the contents of the Convenience Package to the standard equipment.
There are five colours in the Zeekr X range, none carry a cost, while the interior can be chosen in three colours. The charcoal/grey interior is standard, while the blue/white or mulberry/rose schemes are a $500 option.
All cars come standard with the full suite of available safety equipment which includes seven airbags, auto emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, front cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree parking view, door opening warning, traffic sign recognition, tyre pressure monitoring and automated parking assist.
Zeekr also announced its ownership terms with the X which includes a five-year and unlimited kilometre warranty (cropped to three-years/120,000km with commercial use), an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty, five-years/unlimited km of roadside assist, five years of connected services, all paired to a two-year/40,000km service interval.
With pricing now announced, the Zeekr X not only undercuts its Volvo relation, but it is also more affordable than the BMW iX1 ($78,900), Lexus UX300e ($80,720) and Mercedes-Benz EQA ($84,900), making it the most affordable premium small SUV in Australia for the time being.
Soon, though, it will face rival offerings from fellow Chinese newcomer, Xpeng.
The Geely-owned Zeekr will bolster its range in the coming years with the introduction of its unusual performance-oriented 009 people mover, and 7X large SUV, with designs on a further range expansion into the future.
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