Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle company that is part of China’s Geely Automotive, has previewed the Zeekr X compact SUV at a media event held in Sydney last month. It will be the brand’s first vehicle available in Australia and will be followed by the Zeekr 009, an electric luxury MPV, by the end of this year.
Built on the company’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), the Zeekr X uses the brand’s proprietary electric motor and battery technology to deliver what it calls ‘an ideal balance of long-range, high efficiency, and excellent performance.’
Two models, A Rear-Wheel-Drive (RWD) and All-Wheel-Drive (AWD), are available. Both have a 66kWh battery with the RWD offering 200kW/343Nm and up to 540km of range while the AWD serves up 315kW/543Nm and up to 470km of range.
150kW DC charging is available, replenishing the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 30 minutes. A standard 7.2kW AC on-board charger on the RWD model can charge the battery from 0 to 100 per cent in 11.5 hours. An 11kWkW charger on the AWD model offers 0 to 100 per cent recharging in 7.5 hours.
A 5G-enabled digital cockpit offers an array of connected features and intuitive controls in the Zeekr X and delivers fast processing power. Over-the-air software updates are available, as is Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality.
There’s an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch central touchscreen, while features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, dual zone climate control, and options include a 24.3-inch Augmented Reality Head-Up Display, 6-way power front passenger seat, 4-way power lumbar support for front seats, heated steering wheel, and more.
The infotainment system has Zeekr Voice Assistant, enabling control of numerous vehicle features including navigation, climate control, and media playback.
Some interesting features include some predefined convenience modes. These include Theatre Mode which adjusts seats automatically into the ideal position for enjoying music. Pet Mode, meanwhile, maintains the cabin at an optimal temperature and the touchscreen displays a message to 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.
Safety and driver assistance features are plentiful and include Automated Parking Assist, Around View Monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Lane Change, Blind Spot Detection, Collision Mitigation Support Front and Rear, Driver Performance Monitor, Front Cross Traffic Assist, Lane Centering Control, Lane Keeping Assist, and much more.
The Zeekr X is available for pre-order from this month, and the company has been collecting expressions of interest from Australian customers via its official website.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (September 2024)
11 September 2024