2024 Zeekr Z teased in China

Geely-owned Zeekr looks like becoming the latest Chinese EV brand to level its sights on Australia’s most popular electric vehicle, the Tesla Model Y, having just previewed a new battery-electric mid-size SUV known internally as the CX1e.

The teaser images were posted to Chinese social media platform Weibo by Zeekr vice-president Lin Jinwen, who suggested the new model’s actual nameplate was included as part of its vibrant orange camouflage.

With a close look from all angles, an old-school ‘Z’ can be spotted as the foundation for the jagged patterning that covering every panel and even the wheels, almost certainly identifying this vehicle as the 2024 Zeekr Z.

Since its compact electric SUV is called the Zeekr X, the car-maker could’ve taken the ultimate swipe at Tesla and called its larger new SUV the Zeekr Y – a move that may have appeased OCD sufferers but would likely have led to a legal battle with Elon Musk’s company.

For anyone not up to speed on Zeekr’s naming strategy, its passenger models have numeric names while its SUVs wear letters.

Either way, the Zeekr Z has very little in common with the Australian-bound Zeekr X in terms of its exterior design, looking more like a reproportioned Zeekr 007 sedan with just a whiff of Volvo EX30 thrown into the front fascia.

Details remain all but non-existent, but a few clues can be drawn from the similarly-sized Polestar 4 – the only other dedicated (or logical) Model Y fighter in the Geely Group that’s been detailed in full.

Using the swoopy Polestar 4 as a template, the 2024 Zeekr Z will almost certainly ride on Geely’s dedicated SEA electric platform and feature a 102kWh lithium-ion battery pack at the upper end of the eventual line-up.

We wouldn’t be surprised if Zeekr also offers a smaller battery pack, possibly even pinched out of the X, in the name of affordability and practicality given the Polestar 4 is positioned towards the top of its segment in terms of mechanical specification, performance and pricing.

The Z’s more traditional SUV shape means it probably won’t be able to match the slinky 4’s claimed 610km WLTP driving range, but there’s little doubt the long-range versions should be able to eclipse 550km.

Jinwen described the masked pre-production vehicle as “Zeekr’s first family SUV”, setting the scene for Volvo to tease its own ‘EX60’ and complementing both the Z and the upcoming Smart #5.

Such a revealing preview suggests the Zeekr Z will make its global debut within the next few months.

And while there’s been no indication yet of an Australian introduction, a local release should be expected due to the Model Y’s immense popularity and Zeekr’s pending market entry later this year.

The Chinese luxury EV brand will kick off its Australian assault with the Zeekr X small SUV and the Zeekr 009 people-mover.

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