The Chinese brands continue to introduce new models that are closely based on existing designs. One such model is the Zeekr 001, a five-meter long electric car that resembles a shooting brake, similar to the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo or Tesla Model 3. The Zeekr 001 shares its technical foundation with other Geely models such as the Lynk & Co 01, Volvo EX30, and Smart #1, all of which utilize Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (“SEA”). We had the opportunity to test drive a pre-production model of the Zeekr 001.
Geely, like its other brands, relies on international cooperation for the Zeekr 001, particularly for different markets. Geely has ownership stakes in Smart, Volvo, Lynk & Co, Mercedes, and Aston Martin, and it has recently formed a joint venture with Renault. The Zeekr 001 incorporates technology from Israeli autonomous driving specialist Mobileye, with whom Geely is working on a fully autonomous car based on the Zeekr platform. Additionally, the car features chips from Qualcomm for enhanced assistance capabilities.
The Zeekr 001 has been fine-tuned by German engineers in Gothenburg to cater to European needs. For example, firmer seats have been installed in the European version, which we found appropriate during our test drive. The air suspension with adaptive dampers has also been adjusted, and we preferred driving in the sport setting, which provides a more direct connection to the road while maintaining comfort. The Zeekr 001 handles road imperfections with ease, and the engineers claim that roll stabilization is unnecessary.
In sport driving mode, the Zeekr 001’s twin-engine all-wheel drive system delivers 400 kW of power and 686 Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. Despite its hefty weight of 2350 kg, the car feels nimble on winding roads, thanks to its powerful drivetrain and all-wheel drive. The steering, while indirect and somewhat insensitive due to the driven front axle, suits the more comfort-oriented nature of the Zeekr 001. The car also offers eco and comfort driving modes, which provide a more relaxed driving experience. However, the recuperation feature only offers three levels: mild, strong, and single-pedal driving. The developers acknowledge that the coordination between regenerative and friction brakes needs refining to provide more precise deceleration.
Powered by a 100 kWh battery pack from CATL NMC cells, the Zeekr 001 all-wheel drive version has a range of up to 580 kilometers in the WLTP cycle. The long-range rear-wheel drive version, with 200 kW of power, has a range of 620 km. The manufacturer claims a consumption rate of 18.5 kWh/100 km for the four-wheel drive Privilege version. During our test drive, which included a brief stint on the freeway, the onboard computer recorded a consumption rate of 21.5 kWh/100 km.
In conclusion, the Zeekr 001 offers impressive performance, comfort, and range, showcasing the advancements made by Chinese brands in the electric car market. With international cooperation and partnerships, Geely has equipped the Zeekr 001 with top-of-the-line technology for a seamless driving experience. However, some fine-tuning is still required before the car hits the market.
