New all-electric Zeekr X launches

Geely’s new premium brand Zeekr has launched the all-new 2023 Zeekr X – the all-electric compact SUV with which it hopes to conquer markets like Europe and perhaps Australia as the Chinese EV-maker expands rapidly to new markets globally.

Set to become Zeekr’s entry-level model positioned beneath the Zeekr 001 shooting brake and the Zeekr 009 people-mover, the new Zeekr X is based on the Geely’s latest Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), which also underpins the Smart #1 and the upcoming Volvo EX30.

Measuring in at 4450mm long, 1836mm wide and 1572mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2750mm, the new Zeekr X matches cars like the BMW X1 in size (4500/1845/1642mm respectively).

There’s no word on powertrains ahead of its official revealing at the Shanghai motor show in April, but it’s thought the Zeekr X will be equipped with the same electric motors and batteries as the closely-related Smart #1 and soon-to-be-revealed Volvo EX30.

That means entry versions will come with a single 200kW electric motor driving the rear wheels, while the most powerful variant will come with a punchier dual-motor powertrain that should kick out a combined 315kW of power and 543Nm of torque.

It's thought the base Zeekr X will come with a 66kWh battery providing for a range of up to 450km.

Zeekr says an even higher-output version will join the line-up too, offering 0-100km/h acceleration in around three seconds and creating a new genre for high-performance small electric SUVs.

There's no word on projected pricing, but the hidden door-handles, frameless doors and sharp styling could make it as expensive as its closest rival, the Mercedes-Benz EQA, which is priced from more than $78,000 in Australia – if Geely’s Zeekr brand makes it here.

Zeekr has several locally approved and pending trademarks in Australia, but at this stage there is no firm plan for it to be launched Down Under, where fellow Geely electric vehicle brand Polestar is selling all the EVs it can import and where Volvo will become an EV-only brand in 2026 – four years before its parent company.

For everything you auto know about EVs, listen to carsales' Watts Under the Bonnet: the electric car podcast

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au