Chinese electric vehicle maker Zeekr is preparing to launch two ultra-luxury SUVs with hypercar-level performance into Western markets, directly targeting the BMW X5 and X7 while drawing comparisons to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, according to a preview drive of the brand’s expanding lineup conducted on snow and ice in Northern Europe.<\/p>\n
The Geely-backed brand, founded five years ago, will introduce the 8X and 9X SUVs in Australia next year with subsequent European launches planned. Both vehicles utilize a plug-in hybrid architecture pairing a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with either two or three electric motors on a 900-volt electrical platform. In their most potent tri-motor configuration, they deliver 1,030 kW (1,381 hp) and 1,410 Nm (1,039 lb-ft) of torque \u2014 figures that exceed most dedicated supercars.<\/p>\n
The larger 9X, measuring 5,239 mm (206.2 inches) long with a 3,169 mm (124.7-inch) wheelbase, has already recorded more than 62,000 sales in China since its late 2025 launch. In Ningbo, where Zeekr is headquartered, the vehicle has earned the nickname “Hangzhou Bay Cullinan.” Industry observers who examined the 9X at the preview event described its interior fit, finish, and materials as surpassing the BMW X7 and approaching Mercedes-Maybach GLS standards, with one veteran journalist suggesting it “out-Cullinans a Cullinan.”<\/p>\n
The 8X, sized between the BMW X5 and X7 at 5,100 mm long with a 3,069 mm wheelbase, offers two- or three-row seating and a similarly appointed cabin featuring premium leather, metallic trim, suede headliner, and dual dashboard screens. Both models are expected to be priced significantly below their German rivals, though specific market pricing remains unconfirmed.<\/p>\n
European regulations have already forced a power reduction for the region: the tri-motor output will be capped at 660 kW (897 hp), down from the Chinese-market 1,030 kW. A similar restriction is anticipated for Australia. Zeekr has not confirmed which powertrain variants will be offered in each market.<\/p>\n
The preview event, organized by Zeekr Australia and reported by Carscoops, also included drive time in the brand’s entry-level X SUV, the new 7GT shooting brake, and the 001 FR hypercar sedan. The 7GT recently became one of the first two vehicles \u2014 alongside the BMW iX3 \u2014 to earn a five-star rating under Euro NCAP’s updated testing protocols. The 001 FR, powered by four motors and a 100 kWh CATL battery producing 1,248 hp, accelerates to 100 km\/h (62 mph) in 2.02 seconds.<\/p>\n
All test vehicles were equipped with studded winter tires and had stability systems disabled for handling evaluation on snow-covered circuits. The entry-level X, with 365 kW (489 hp) from dual motors, demonstrated controllable oversteer characteristics despite its modest dimensions.<\/p>\n
Zeekr’s challenge extends beyond engineering. In the premium segments where the 8X and 9X will compete, buyers of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Land Rover, Bentley, and Rolls-Royce vehicles exhibit fierce brand loyalty. The company’s ability to establish dealer networks, after-sales service, and residual value confidence in Western markets remains untested at this price tier.<\/p>\n
Geely’s strategy mirrors the trajectory of American EV startups Rivian and Lucid, which demonstrated that legacy heritage is not a prerequisite for class-leading products. Whether Zeekr can translate its domestic success \u2014 where it has shattered the price-luxury paradigm \u2014 into sustained global market share will depend on pricing discipline and service execution as much as specifications.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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