Geely-owned electric carmaker Zeekr officially launched the new X in China today, with plans to compete in the European market in the near future with its latest premium crossover. Filled with high-tech toys, surprising performance, and a sleek design penned in Sweden, the new EV seeks to attract customers with its surprisingly low price.
Powered by two motors, which give it up to 422 hp (315 kW/428 PS) and 400 lb-ft (543 Nm) of torque, the Zeekr X can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) from a stop in just 3.7 seconds. Thanks to its aerodynamic shape and silicon carbide batteries, it can travel up to 348 miles (560 km) on a single charge (on the CLTC cycle).
The electric crossover’s performance is impressive, but what’s even more surprising is its starting price of just 189,800 yuan ($27,615 USD at current exchange rates). This clearly indicates that the Chinese brand is targeting Tesla (and its recent price cuts) head-on. For comparison, the base Tesla Model Y starts at 261,900 yuan ($38,095), with the Long Range AWD version priced at 311,900 yuan ($45,370), and the Performance AWD edition at 361,900 yuan ($52,640).
Read: Zeekr Coming To Europe This Year, Launching 5 New Models By 2025
The X measures in at 175-inches in length, 72-inches in width, and 62-inches in height (4450 mm x 1836 mm x 1572 mm), or just a little larger than a Range Rover Evoque, with Zeekr promising that it will have ample room for passengers and up to 42 cubic feet (1,182 liters) of trunk space.
Designed at the Zeekr Design Studio in Gothenburg, Sweden, the X is based on Geely’s Sustainable Electric Platform. It was styled under the direction of Stefan Sielaff, the president of global design for Geely, who previously worked as the design director at Bentley and Audi, as well as the director of interior design at Daimler.
The electric crossover boasts big wheels, frameless doors, frameless side mirrors, and a hidden charging cover, all of which the company says contribute to the luxurious aesthetic of the brand, while also prioritizing aerodynamic performance
It has a 13 square-foot (1.21 square meter) panoramic glass canopy to let plenty of natural sunlight into the cabin. The seats and much of the interior are upholstered in a microfiber velvet lining that Zeekr claims is as soft and supple as the finest leather, while being considerably more sustainable It is also available with a variety of high-tech toys that allow owners to unlock the vehicle by using their face, or cool their drinks with an in-vehicle fridge.
Coming to Europe and other Asian markets, but not the U.S.
Zeekr says that it will begin deliveries of the X in China by June. It also plans a European launch for the vehicle, but has not yet set a firm date for when that will happen. Speaking to Reuters, Chief Executive Andy An stated that the company is also interested in entering other Asian markets outside China without providing specific details, but has no current plan to sell its EVs in the USA.
