The enticing Zeekr 001 FR could be sold in Europe where it will serve as the ultimate rival to the Tesla Model S Plaid. However, the Chinese car manufacturer has not committed to a European launch just yet.
Zeekr lifted the veil on the ultimate version of the 001 in September. It is driven by a quartet of electric motors that combine to deliver an extraordinary 1,248 hp and 944 lb-ft (1,280 Nm) of torque. Zeekr says it can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.07 seconds from a “rolling start” but hasn’t specified what it considers a rolling start. Nevertheless, we also know that the top speed has been limited to 174 mph (280 km/h).
During a recent interview with Auto News Europe, Zeekr Europe’s head of product and connectivity Alessandro Massimino said Zeekr is currently evaluating the cost of homologating the 001 FR for the European market.
“We are considering whether to import the 001 FR to Europe to make it our halo model,” he confirmed. Massimino added that Zeekr is also pondering the possibility of adding the ultra-long-range 140 kWh battery pack it offers on Chinese roads in Europe. The most range-focused version of the 001 can travel 641 miles (1,032 km) on a charge according to the Chinese test cycle.
Read: Zeekr 001 FR Debuts With Four Motors, Tank Turns And 1,248 HP
Pricing details for the 001 FR have not been announced in China but the carmaker says it will cost more than 1 million yuan, the equivalent of over €130,000 (~$137,000). If that price remains the same in Europe, it will make the 001 FR pricier than the Model S Plaid, which is available from €109,900 (~$116,000) in Germany. If the car is sold in Europe, it will likely only be exported in limited numbers as Zeekr plans to build just 99 examples each month.
Providing the 001 FR’s four electric motors with their juice is a CATL Qilin 100 kWh battery pack with an 800-volt architecture. It takes just 15 minutes to charge the battery from 10-80%.
