As Citroen announces it's exiting Australia the wave of new Chinese brands entering our shores continues - meet Zeekr.
The Zeekr X is described as a compact lifestyle vehicle, designed for urban environments, will be the first of two models introduced to the Australian market this year. Following the Zeekr X, the company plans to launch the Zeekr 009, a pure-electric luxury MPV, by the end of 2024.
To meet the growing demand for electric mobility in Australia, Zeekr has established a subsidiary in the country and will adopt a franchise dealership distribution model.
Connal Yan, Managing Director of Zeekr Australia, commented: “Zeekr’s expansion into the Australian market brings our innovative and cutting-edge electric vehicles to a new audience, offering a unique driving experience that blends style, performance, and sustainability. By selecting SXSW Sydney as the stage for our launch, Zeekr is demonstrating its commitment to innovation, showcasing our products to a global audience, and setting the foundation for a future of limitless possibilities in sustainable mobility.”
Zeekr is the luxury electric vehicle brand from Geely Holding Group which owns a diverse portfolio of brands including Geely Auto, Lynk & Co, Zeekr, Volvo Cars, Polestar, Lotus Cars, London Electric Vehicle Company, Cao Cao Mobility, and aerospace technology company Geespace.
About Zeekr X
The Zeekr X uses the brand’s proprietary state-of-the-art electric motor and battery technology to deliver an ideal balance of long-range, high efficiency, and excellent performance. The 66kWh lithium-ion battery uses nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) cells supplied by CATL for optimum energy density and durability. Benefitting from an eight-year/160,000 km warranty, the battery will – at end-of-life – be recycled in line with global directives.
The lithium-ion battery can deliver up to 540km of range (ADR 81/02) in the single motor, rear-wheel drive standard model.
When the vehicle is parked, several predefined convenience modes are available: in Theatre Mode, for example, the seats automatically adjust into the ideal position for enjoying music, while in Pet Mode, the climate control system maintains the cabin at an optimal temperature and the touchscreen displays a message to inform and reassure passers-by the pets locked inside are comfortable and safe
A security feature known as Sentry Mode is also offered: when the Zeekr X is parked and locked, it will create a video of the area around the vehicle if suspicious activity is detected. Only the driver can access the recordings, which are stored in the car’s built-in storage or on a USB flash drive plugged into the USB interface.