China's Zeekr has Rolls-Royce, Porsche in its sights with long-range 1000kW PHEV large SUV
The Zeekr 9X has been 'engineered to embody the luxury of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, performance of a Porsche Cayenne, and all-terrain capability of a Range Rover', according to the Geely-owned brand.
After revealing the 9X's exterior in April, Zeekr has now released more details and shown off its interior ahead of first customer deliveries commencing in China this quarter.
Featuring Zeekr's new SEAS architecture, the 9X uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine delivering 205kW of peak power, mated with three tri-silicon carbide-powered electric motors, for total peak power of 1030kW.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Zeekr claims the 9X can do the 0-100km/h dash in just 3.1 seconds, which would make it one of the world's quickest SUVs.
It uses a 70kWh battery, the largest yet in a hybrid SUV, and features a 900V electrical system.
That battery, sourced from CATL, is much larger than many other hybrid SUVs, and larger than many electric vehicle (EV) batteries too.
Claimed electric-only range, depending on the variant, is up to 380km on the CLTC cycle. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Zeekr says the battery can be charged from 20 to 80 per cent in as little as nine minutes, with a 10-80 per cent charge taking as little as 10.3 minutes; like many PHEVs, the engine can also be used to charge the battery.
The brand also claims the new combustion engine, its first and designed specifically for 'high-performance electric hybrids', has thermal efficiency of over 46 per cent.
Zeekr says the 9X is intended to offer 'EV-era' technology and 'IC-era luxury and uncompromised performance'.
It also promises 'best-in-class low-battery performance' and 'EV-like smoothness', as well as fast-charging capability and instant responsiveness. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
It rides on dual-chamber air suspension, allowing for maximum ground clearance of 288mm, and features dual-valve continuously controlled damping and a 48V active stabiliser bar – the latter claimed to be a first for a Chinese brand.
The 9X has selectable comfort, eco and sport drive modes, plus seven additional terrain modes: grass, snow, deep snow, mud, sand, rocks and mountain roads.
There's a suite of active safety and driver assist technology, powered by five LiDAR units, five 4D millimetre-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, 13 high-definition cameras and two wading cameras. Zeekr says the 9X supports Level 3 autonomous driving capability. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert
The Chinese brand displayed the 9X with a two-tone interior, featuring prominent wood inlays.
There's a large, landscape-oriented infotainment touchscreen, under which sits a row of physical buttons, as well as a neatly integrated digital instrument cluster.
There's a rotary dial on the centre console next to some more switches and a pair of wireless phone charging pads, with the gear shifter mounted up on the column.
In a Mercedes-Benz-like touch, all of the front power seat controls are on the doors.
Second-row occupants sit in a pair of captain's chairs, and can view a TV screen that comes down from the roof. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
The boot is accessed via a clamshell tailgate.
The Zeekr 9X measures a sizeable 5239mm long, 2029mm wide, 1819mm tall and rides a 3169mm wheelbase, making it larger than a Toyota LandCruiser.
While its exterior features ample brightwork, including a bold chrome grille and Maybach-like 22-inch mirror-finish forged wheels, Zeekr previewed a blacked-out Nightshade edition.
Zeekr Australia has confirmed a third SUV will join its local lineup in 2026, following the pioneering Zeekr X small electric SUV and the 7X mid-size electric SUV, though it hasn't confirmed which model. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Thus far, the only other SUV in Zeekr's global portfolio is the 9X, however, another PHEV SUV is expected to be launched soon in China.
'When introducing a new model to Australia in 2026, we need to look at the powertrain and segment,' Zeekr global product marketing director Tony Zhou told CarExpert earlier this month.
'We have a compact SUV, C/D segment [mid-size] SUV, and MPV [the Zeekr 009 electric people mover]. What will be next… is under discussion. We have BEV, big SUV, small SUV, hatchbacks, hybrids and PHEVs in our pocket.'
MORE: Everything Zeekr
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AU Financial Review
an hour ago
- AU Financial Review
Albanese handed some Chinese luck in US war tensions
Shanghai | Anthony Albanese was all smiles in Shanghai on Sunday as he accepted a red jersey from former Socceroo Kevin Muscat, emblazoned with the number 10 – a symbol of balance in Chinese numerology. It was a fitting gesture from Muscat, who now coaches the Shanghai Port Football Club. A delicate balance is exactly what the prime minister is trying to achieve on his six-day trip to the world's second-largest economy.
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Albanese launches new ad campaign targeting Chinese tourists
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has launched a new ad campaign to help attract more Chinese tourists. It marks the beginning of a week-long visit to China, which is already drawing the attention of the White House.
Courier-Mail
3 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Albanese confirms status quo posture over Taiwan war
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Anthony Albanese has been asked point blank what Australia would do if the US and China 'went to war over Taiwan'. Washington has reportedly been pressing Canberra on the matter as the Trump administration turns its attention to an 'imminent' China threat in the Indo Pacific. A Chinese invasion of Taiwan, which is democratically self-governing, would cause mayhem for global shipping lines and disrupt the supply of semiconductors — crucial tech components. Speaking to reporters in Shanghai, the Prime Minister struck a cautious tone. 'Our aim of investing in our capability and as well investing in our relationships, is about advancing peace and security in our region,' he said, as stone-faced Chinese officials watched from the sidelines. Mr Albanese said he had no plans of changing Australia's 'consistent position' on Taiwan's future. 'We support the status quo when it comes to Taiwan,' he said. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets with CEO Jane Sun (top right), Tourism Australia's Robin Mack (left bottom) Vice President of Edison Chen (right bottom) during a visit to in Shanghai, China. Picture: Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer / NewsWire 'We don't support any unilateral action there. We have a clear position, and we have been consistent about that.' In somewhat of a veiled shot at Trump administration, he went on to say it was 'important' in international relationships to 'have a stable, orderly, coherent position going forward'. 'Australia does we want peace and security in our region,' Mr Albanese said. 'We don't want any change to the status quo - that's Australia's position today, that was Australia's position last week, that's been a bipartisan position for a long period of time.' He was pressed on whether the US had sought assurances that any nuclear-powered submarines acquired under AUKUS would be deployed in a conflict over Taiwan. The prime minister struck a cautious tone during his Shanghai press conference. Picture: Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer / NewsWire Mr Albanese kept tight-lipped, only saying that 'through the AUKUS agreement' all stakeholder countries had 'very clear understandings of what AUKUS is for'. 'We want peace and security in our region,' he said. 'We don't change our position on a day to day basis - that is what the world needs and that is what we'll continue to do.' Pressed further on any private conversation with the Americans, Mr Albanese shot back: 'Private by definition, that's in private.' 'You don't take private comments at a media conference,' he said. 'We engage in a mature way. That's the way that we do with our relationships.' Originally published as Australia backs 'status quo' amid US pressure on Taiwan
