Zeekr electric cars arrive in Australia

Fresh alternative to the electric car set shapes up as a feature-packed model for an attractive price.

Tesla’s stranglehold on the Australian electric car market will be challenged by a range of fresh models including the Zeekr X.

Zeekr, part of the Geely group that includes Volvo and Polestar, unveiled its first Australian model today ahead of the car reaching showrooms in October.

Zeekr Australia managing director Conal Yan says more than 1000 people have registered interest in a brand that is new to the Australian market.

Zeekr X electric car. Photo: Supplied

“The market is changing very fast – the dynamic is very different,” he says.

“This is a very mature market, and a sophisticated market.

“What we are offering is very strong, backed up all the way from research and development to the product and design.

“It’s a top quality product in design, quality and performance.”

Priced from less than $60,000 plus on-road costs in two-wheel-drive trim, or $70,000 with all-wheel-drive, the Zeekr X will undercut Volvo’s EX30 while using the same hardware.

Zeekr X electric car. Photo: Supplied

Power comes from a 66kWh battery linked to a choice of 200kW or 315kW power.

The more powerful model can reach 100kmh in 3.8 seconds.

And even faster versions are on the way, including the Zeekr 009 people mover that has 400kW of power and a staggering 140kWh of battery capacity.

The brand’s fastest car, the Zeekr 001FR developed with the help of ex-F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen, uses four electric motors to reach 100kmh in a little over two seconds.

Yan says the FR’s performance is “absolutely insane”, though it is only built in left hand drive for now.

Zeekr X electric car. Photo: Supplied

Zeekr joins a raft of new brands including Leapmotor, XPeng and Smart that hope to conquer the Australian market.

Rather than singling out particular rivals such as Tesla or BYD, Yan says “we want everyone to do well”.

Zeekr’s 007 is a handsome sedan.

The brand hopes to have up to nine dealerships open to customers this year.

Yan says a five-year warranty and five-star Euro NCAP rating will reassure potential customers who aren’t sure about taking a punt on a new manufacturer.

Originally published as Zeekr electric cars arrive in Australia