The Chinese are not content with controlling the volume market for electric cars more and more, but have also launched headlong into conquering the hitherto untouchable premium segments in the hands of the Germans and Japanese. The latest example is the launch of the Zeekr X. A model from the giant Geely that is aimed directly at Germans and Japanese.
with a body of 4.45 meters longand a wheelbase of 2750 mm, the Zeekr X It is a typical compact SUV that seeks clients among families and urbanites who need a vehicle to move around the city and go on a getaway with their friends or pets.
By dimensions, it is similar to the Peugeot 3008, Renault Austral and Volkswagen Tiguan, being one step below the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Skoda Enyaq iV and Volkswagen ID.4.
This sits on the Geely SEA platformwhich is the same one used by proposals like the new Smart #01but installed in a model that aspires to win over customers with a slightly higher budget who are looking for a different design, as well as good finishes and up-to-date equipment.
Zeekr’s own CEO, Andy An, aims to revolutionize the market for premium compact models, dominated by brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audiof which you have indicated that they are luxury brands, but without really premium products.
Something that they want to solve with a Zeekr X of which he has highlighted that despite its compact size, this will not mean sacrificing space for occupants and their cargo, benefits or equipment.
Among other things, the Zeekr X has state-of-the-art technological elements such as a door opening by facial recognition, a mobile central screen, electric folding rear seats and a refrigerator that can reach a temperature of up to 15 degrees below zero. So we can take some ice cream to our excursions. We can also do the opposite, and that is that thanks to its hot mode, between 35 and 50 degrees, we can keep the food warm for longer.
It also has in all its versions a self-piloted driving system equipped with a high-definition and long-range front camera, 4 long-range and medium-range radars, as well as up to 12 cameras distributed throughout the body to control 360 degrees.
A proposal that will complete its attractive design and equipment with a mechanical configuration that in some cases borders on the absurd. For example, we see how the most radical variant has two engines, all-wheel drive, and nothing less than a power of 315 kW (422 hp) with a devastating maximum torque of 543 Nm. A system that allows you to complete 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds.
Of course, racking up horses in the age of the electric car is not very complicated. Another thing is being able to control them. And it is that recently we have seen how his twin brother, the Smart # 01, in its Brabus version, which yields 428 CV of power, failed in the dodge maneuver of KM77.
Specifically, the tester indicated that the Smart #01 Brabus: «It lacks a point of balance because the stratospheric performance it offers does not match well with the tuning of the chassis, which is highly oriented towards comfort and without an iota of sportiness.»
Therefore, either Zeekr has made changes to the dynamic part, or we are facing another monster of acceleration in a straight line, but a calmer relative in corners.
It will also have a version with a single engine, rear-wheel drive, and 200 kW (272 hp) of power. An alternative that seems much more reasonable and that also will not be exactly slow, allowing it to reach 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds.
Regarding the battery issue, the Zeekr X will mount in all its versions a lithium pack with a capacity of 66 kWh and an autonomy CLTL up to 560 km, which remain at 512 km in the Performance version. A battery that can be charged to a maximum of 150 kW, with a time to do 10-80% of 30 minutes.
The price of the Zeekr X in China starts at 189,800 yuan, or 25,130 euros to change for the cheapest version, while the intermediate does so at 209,800 yuan, or 27,780 euros to change.
This places it very close to rivals such as the Volkswagen ID.4, which with the recent price drop in China starts at 174,900 yuan, or 23,160 euros to change.
The most important thing for us is that the president of Zeekr has indicated during the presentation that the brand will arrive in Europe this year, although he has not indicated specific dates. A plan that will be presented in a few days during the Shanghai Auto Show, where we will learn about the expansion plans for this Chinese brand in our market.
