Tesla Killer?
The Zeekr 001 is the manufacturer’s first model, presented at the Shanghai Motor Show in April 2021. A great rival of the Tesla model S, the 001 is a kind of very large sports station wagon, 4.95 meters long, based on the SEA platform shared with Volvo and Polestar. It will also be marketed outside of China. The first models for Europe have already left the factory.
Almost 5 m long, it is equipped for Europe with a large 96 kWh battery, for a range of 620 km in the propulsion version (WLTP mixed cycle, stricter than the Chinese standard which announces 1000 km of autonomy) . It is also available with a second electric motor placed on the front axle, for a range of 580 km. Its prices promise to be very competitive and could give cold sweats to references on the Old Continent.
A Civic Type R look
Zeekr is already preparing the sequel and has shared two images of the concept 001R. They represent the car on a race track with a number of changes from the regular 001 with a larger and more aggressive black grille, as well as an aerodynamic splitter with small fins and a tinted optical strip. The front almost mimics American muscle cars.
New side skirts extend lower than the standard model. The car also features a set of distinctive black wheels while at the rear we can make out a fixed carbon fiber wing, a twin-humped roof spoiler, a new bumper and a pronounced diffuser, in a genre that is reminiscent of the Civic Type R.
The standard Zeekr 001 is sold with an 86 kWh battery, a 100 kWh battery or a huge 140 kWh battery. The top performing model has a pair of electric motors that combine to deliver 536hp while the more range-focused version has a single 268hp electric motor and can travel 1,032km on a single charge, these figures being related to Chinese standards and not WLTP. The Zeekr 001 R will undoubtedly exceed 600 horsepower could adopt a three or four motor powertrain.
