Powerful Flagship SUV from Zeekr
The Chinese automaker Zeekr has officially launched its new flagship off-road vehicle, the 9X, in the Chinese market. The model impresses not only with its power but also with its affordable price, which is significantly lower than expected even by local standards.
Key Model Characteristics
Pricing Policy and Trims
The base Max version with all-wheel drive and two motors with a power of 885 hp starts from 465,900 yuan. The first buyers receive an additional discount of 10,000 yuan, making the starting price even more attractive. The Ultra trim offers second-row captain’s seats, while the Hyper version is equipped with three motors and luxurious finishes. The top level – Black Edition – combines high performance with exclusive details.
For comparison, in the USA, a mid-range Lincoln Nautilus can be purchased for a similar amount, which, by the way, is also manufactured in China.
Demand and Supply
Demand for the new model turned out to be extremely high: within the first 13 minutes after the start of sales, 10,000 pre-orders were received, and within an hour, their number exceeded 40,000. Vehicle deliveries to customers in China will begin by November.
Technical Features and Design
The Zeekr 9X is the brand’s first hybrid car, as the company previously specialized exclusively in electric vehicles. The model is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 275 hp, which is combined with two or three electric motors. The dual-motor version accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, and the triple-motor version in 3.1 seconds.
Thanks to the large 70 kWh battery, the model can travel up to 302 km without using fuel.
Interior and Safety Systems
The car’s exterior resembles the style of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Range Rover, and its dimensions make it one of the largest in its class. The interior features a 2+2+2 seating arrangement, a digital instrument panel, a large central screen, and an entertainment system for rear-row passengers. The model also received the Qianli Haohan H9 system with five lidars and powerful Nvidia chips to ensure a high level of autonomy.
The appearance of the Zeekr 9X demonstrates the rapid development of the Chinese auto industry, which is increasingly offering technological solutions that surpass European and American counterparts. Growing competition could contribute to lower prices for premium cars globally, as well as accelerate the transition to cleaner technologies. At the same time, the rapid pace of model updates poses questions for manufacturers regarding durability and the availability of service maintenance.