New Zeekr 001 launched in China with 580 kW for 37,500 USD

The new Zeekr 001 from Geely Group was launched in China with lots of enhancements compared to its predecessor. It has up to 580 kW, over 700 km range, advanced autonomous driving system, 28 speakers, etc. This car starts from 269,000 yuan (37,500 USD). Its deliveries will start on March 1. 

Zeekr is a young Chinese brand under the Geely Group. It was launched in 2021 with the Zeekr 001 as the first model. Nowadays, its product line comprises four cars: 001 lifback, X crossover, 009 minivan, and 007 sedan. Cumulative sales of the Zeekr brand reached 160,996 units. Today, this brand launched the new Zeekr 001 to strengthen its market position.

Exterior and Interior of the new Zeekr 001

At first sight, the new Zeekr 001 looks similar to its predecessor. However, its exterior styling was enhanced to match the Zeekr 001 FR four-motor beast launched last year. It has more aggressive bumpers, a LiDAR sensor on the roof, and a new rear spoiler. It also has a new body color called Olive Green. The Zeekr 001 boasts hefty dimensions of 4977/1999/1545 mm with a wheelbase of 3005 mm.

Inside, the new Zeekr 001 has more enhancements compared to the old model. It offers a new instrument cluster and a steering wheel, similar to the Zeekr 001 FR. Its interior color schemes were also revised. Moreover, Zeekr also enhanced the quality of textures used inside the car. Other updates are a seat vibrating function, a 15.6-inch screen that can turn left and right, a 35.5-inch augmented reality head-up display, and a Snapdragon 8295 chip. 

The powertrain of the new Zeekr 001

The new Zeekr 001 adopts the 800V platform. Thanks to this technology, it supports V2V charging with a peak power of 60 kW. It means the Zeekr 001 can charge another EV with the power of an average DC charging station. Moreover, this platform allowed Zeekr to boost the new 001’s power output. The Zeekr 001 with an LFP battery can charge 10-80% in 11.5 minutes, thanks to the 5C system. The ternary NMC pack can do the same in 15 minutes because of the 4C system. According to Zeekr, it can charge 256 km in 5 minutes. 

The new Zeekr 001 adopts a 310-kW (416 hp) permanent magnet electric motor in the rear axle, borrowed from the Zeekr 001 FR. The 4WD model also has an asynchronous induction motor in the front axle for 270 kW (362 hp). The benefit of using this kind of e-motor in the front axle is the high energy efficiency during low-speed driving in traffic jams. On the other hand, the new Zeekr 001 can speed up to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds. For comparison, the Nio ET7 sedan reaches the same speed in 3.9 seconds. 

The new Zeekr 001 has two battery options: 

• 95 kWh, LFP, 675 km range 
• 100 kWh, ternary NMC, 705 – 750 km range (depending on the drive type)

Features of the new Zeekr 001

Inside, this liftback has 28 Yamaha speakers for 3000 W instead of just eight speakers its predecessor had. Each headrest (except the center rear seat) has two integrated speakers. What is more, this acoustic system goes standard. Another feature of the Zeekr 001 is the color-changing panoramic roof with ten independent segments.

The Zeekr 001 is also equipped with electronically powered doors and double-chamber air suspension that enhance driving comfort. It also has a CDC continuous damping control system, which boosts the car’s handling. By the way, Zeekr is proud of the fact that the first Chinese F1 driver, Zhou Guanyu, helped adjust the car’s chassis. The new Zeekr 001 can be equipped with an electrically powered hitch. It has a towing capacity of 2 tons.

The Zeekr 001 also offers an advanced autonomous driving system that will support an advanced NZP city navigation system, AVP parking assist, and LCC system in Q2 this year. It is the result of Zeekr’s cooperation with Mobileye. This system will be available for free for customers who booked the Zeekr 001 before March 31. 

The price range of the Zeekr 001

The new Zeekr 001 is available in four trim levels:

• WE RWD 100 kWh – 269,000 yuan (37,500 USD)
• WE 4WD 95 kWh – 269,000 yuan (37,500 USD)
• ME 4WD 100 kWh – 299,000 yuan (41,700 USD)
• YOU 4WD 100 kWh – 329,000 yuan (45,800 USD)

Moreover, Zeekr offers a 10,000-yuan (1,400 USD) discount to customers who buy the new model before March 31. Previously, the Zeekr 001 with an 86 kWh battery pack started from 267,000 yuan (37,100 USD), including discounts. Bearing in mind lots of enhancements of this model, the new Zeekr 001 became a huge threat to every other high-end EV in the market, intensifying the fierce competition.  

Source: Zeekr