Zeekr 009 News

Zeekr has heard your feedback and more of its cars will get tactile buttons and dials as it moves away from exclusively touchscreen-based controls. Speaking to CarsGuide at a 7GT pre-launch event, the head of the company’s design studio in Shanghai, Javier Garcia-Gallardo said more buttons were “definitely” something that will be put into its cars going forward. “For the 7GT’s predecessor, the 007 sedan, we didn’t have physical controls in the centre console. We got some feedback from the Chinese market back then, so when it came time to adjust it for the 7GT we knew it was something we had to change,” he explained. “They add more functionality for the driver, but also a richer interior feeling at the same time. When we move up the line-up to the bigger cars like the 8X and 9X you can see more physical buttons are coming - so we are taking that feedback on.” “Especially those more material customers who are looking at 8X and 9X, they appreciate those switches and buttons and not having to navigate through the touchscreen to adjust their seat or turn on message functions.” “So for those kinds of features you’re going to be using very often, we’ve made sure they have a switch.” Buttons or not, one thing that sets Zeekr apart from its parent brand, Geely, is its unique and decidedly flashier software suite. Something Garcia-Gallardo said has been a huge benefit for the design team to integrate better into the overall feel of its cars. “We have our own operating system exclusive for us and built from zero,” he said. “It’s taken a couple of years to get it where it is now, but we feel it’s at a point where it’s pretty good in the market. For sure, the design team has been one of the major stakeholders developing that. “Being a platform product, the operating system has over the air updates extremely often, so it takes us a lot of manpower to curate and maintain its constant evolution.” Garcia-Gallardo said Zeekr has evolved past its infancy as a spin-off from sister brand Lynk & Co, and it was set for some bigger changes as it aligns to a more global audience. He said it was a challenge to design for the huge Chinese audience, while catering for global tastes. “We need to design cars which appeal to all markets and balance those considerations and requirements.” “China is a big market for Zeekr, and one of the biggest overall markets in the world, so the demands of that market are extremely important, so we need to appeal to the Chinese market to keep growing and be financially stable.” “As we mature as a company though it’s very important we bring global demands and requirements into the design program at the beginning.” “This was happening less at the start because we didn’t have the same global footprint that we have today, but now that we have a stronger customer base we have a wider set of requirements.” He added customer and media feedback, as well as quirks of local market requirements like Australian Design Rules (ADRs) were “certainly part of my day-to-day design briefings”. ADRs saw the animated LED bar across the front of the car deleted from the 7X and 7GT for the Australian market. When asked how much freedom Zeekr’s designers have when it comes to its new models, Garcia-Gallardo said it was an essential pillar of the brand. “The company trusts a lot in design, especially when it comes to defining proportions of the car, and its architecture. I think that’s what makes a car feel special at first glance. It’s those proportions which makes it feel like it doesn’t simply land in mainstream territory.” He added Zeekr’s future updates and new-generation products would see its range more rationalised into its two main design languages, ‘Hidden Energy’ as worn by the 7X and 7GT, and ‘Powerful Elegance’ as worn by the 8X and 9X hybrid large SUVs. Design elements inherited from Lynk & Co, like the dual-DRLs still seen on the X small SUV and 009 people mover are set to be phased out over time. Zeekr leaps up the charts in Australia, almost entirely thanks to its smash-hit 7X mid-size SUV. It has brought the brand some much needed momentum, which it hopes will be realised with the arrival of the fully electric 7GT sporty station wagon before the end of the year, and the introduction of the 8X and 9X hybrid large SUVs in 2027.

Zeekr is storming up the charts in Australia, targeting luxury and mainstream rivals, proving Chinese brands can be more than just budget-oriented. While rival premium brands like Audi, BMW and Mercedes have such distinctive designs tied to their identities though, you might have noticed Zeekrs all look a bit different. Explaining this quirk of the brand, the head of Zeekr’s design studio in Shanghai Javier Garcia-Gallardo explained why the company had such diverse designs in its portfolio, and how things were going to evolve going forward. “It’s to do with the evolution of Zeekr and how the brand was born,” he said. “You could say we’ve been through three main chapters - the first chapter is the vehicles with heritage from Lynk & Co like the 001, 009 and the X. They are vehicles which transparently were designed to be part of the Lynk & Co brand and transitioned across to the Zeekr brand. “But they weren’t fully there yet, the Zeekr X, for example, still has the dual DRLs from Lynk & Co.” Lynk & Co is Zeekr’s sister company, both premium marques under parent company Geely’s umbrella. Lynk & Co existed first, dating back to 2016, but it has now been re-organised to sit under Zeekr ownership. Zeekr’s first vehicle, the 001, was originally revealed as the Lynk & Co Zero concept in 2020, before Zeekr’s formation in 2021. “The second chapter is where we introduced the ‘Hidden Energy’ language.” Garcia-Gallardo continued, “This is for the 7GT, the 7X and the Zeekr Mix.” This design language originally debuted in 2023 on the 007 sedan on which the 7GT wagon is based. “It was the first exclusively Zeekr design.” Garcia-Gallardo said. “For this, we wanted a shift of mindset for the customer. We wanted it to be very progressive, targeting Generation Z. They are digital natives and perceive technology in the car in a different way from previous generations. “Chapter three is ‘Powerful Elegance’ - our first cars represented by this are the 8X and 9X. These vehicles are targeted at a more material customer and have more traditional automotive design cues, but you can also see some cues from the 009 as well. The grille is very dominant and gives a kind of architectural design to the cars.” Going forward, things are set to line up to the brand’s main two designs, with smaller vehicles to stick to the ‘Hidden Energy’ and larger ones to sport the ‘Powerful Elegance’ look. This is particularly because Zeekr intends to have a more distinctive and instantly-identifiable look going forward as it builds its recognition globally. “The market is flexible, but a consistent design language is important for brand awareness," Garcia-Gallardo said, “we’ve spent the last couple of years evolving and exploring these different languages for different customer bases. What you can expect to see is the design languages will get closer together. “They won’t be ultra-dogmatic between them though - you’ll see some features from the 9X for example being interpreted in a different way on the 7 series vehicles and vice versa. “One example is the detail line which follows the ambient light through the digital instrument panel across the dash from door to door. It’s not as clear on the exteriors yet, but you’ll start to see a bit of horizontality introduced across our model range going forward.” Garcia-Gallardo hinted at other changes and tweaks to the model range going forward, too, which would be based on global feedback as Zeekr becomes more of an international brand. As for the Lynk & Co and Zeekr split, the two could be thought of as the Chinese side of the Volvo/Polestar equation (two similar brands with different purposes), although Lynk & Co and its sportier and largely hybrid offerings remains squarely aimed at Europe where it is headquartered for the time being rather than right-hand drive markets like Australia. Instead, we’ll be an important export focus for the Zeekr brand, which is headquartered in China. A plan to re-badge certain Lynk & Co models as Zeekrs for markets like Australia has been reportedly cancelled, as each brand establishes its own identity. The pair continue to diverge in their design, with Lynk & Co models continuing ownership of the split-DRL design on the new 08 PHEV mid-sizer and 900 large PHEV SUV. Meanwhile Zeekr will power ahead with its more high-end offerings in Australia into 2027, with the 8X and 9X hybrids due here over the next year, adding to its current range which consists of the X small SUV, 7X mid-sizer, 009 people mover, and incoming 7GT station wagon, all for now as electric cars.

Zeekr has announced monthly sales figures for August, announcing that it has more than doubled its global sales footprint year-on-year. Up a massive 100.4 per cent year-on-year, Zeekr reports it has delivered 251,000 vehicles, with monthly sales volume for August coming to 36,981 units. The growing luxury arm of Geely, Zeekr says it has now cumulatively sold nearly 900,000 units worldwide since its inception in 2021. This is an important milestone for Geely, as the higher pricing and margin of Zeekr vehicles is dragging up the brand’s average sale price in an environment where China’s automakers are seeking better profits after a bruising price war in the domestic market. The average sale price for a Zeekr vehicle is reportedly 370,000 RMB (A$77,090) and is an important factor in dragging the average sale price up for the entire Geely Group. Highlights for the year so far shared by Zeekr include over 200,000 global orders for the 7X mid-size SUV, and the Zeekr 9X large SUV becoming the best-selling SUV above the A$100,000 mark in China. In addition, the 009 people mover is now the best-selling luxury electric people mover in several markets, while the 7GT, soon to go on sale in Australia, is moving over 10,000 units a month globally. Zeekr has experienced explosive growth in Australia over the course of 2026, led primarily by its 7X, which until the end of July has clocked 7424 registrations. This has made it one of the best-selling electric cars in the country, ranking only behind more mainstream offerings like the BYD Sealion 7, Geely EX5 and Tesla Model Y. Zeekr will no doubt be expecting a bumper year in 2027, as well, as it adds the 7GT electric station wagon to the range as a new rival to the BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3 before the end of the year, with the 8X large SUV and 9X flagship, both as plug-in hybrids, also set to join the line-up in 2027. For Geely’s part, it has also experienced massive growth in Australia, moving over 14,000 units so far in 2026, despite only having a two-model range. The keenly-priced EX2 hatchback has just joined its range, with the Emgrand sedan and possibly the Monjaro upper mid-sizer set to join the range next year as hybrid options. The company has big global aspirations to double its export sales in 2027. Doing so in Australia would put the brand in the same stead as other Chinese success stories like BYD, Chery and GWM. But Geely’s Australian CEO Alex Gu told CarsGuide earlier this year that the company would continue its measured approach in Australia, despite its early success. “Success isn’t just the volume booming,” he said, “success is also customer satisfaction and dealer satisfaction.” “We’ve only launched two models and for example other brands have launched 10 models. “Of course, they have been in the marke longer, but even with two models you can see we only try to bring ‘star’ models into each segment. “From my perspective, 1000 a month is a milestone for a new model, especially in mainstream segments.” He said the company’s ultimate target was to be a global top-five player, and that in export markets like Australia the goal was to be “the number one Chinese brand.” From there it was a matter of challenging “the global top three.” Stay tuned for more on Zeekr’s new model roll out, as well as more on Geely’s plans for 2027.

Zeekr’s flagship family hauler is lurking on Australia’s door-step. The big and luxurious Zeekr 009 Grand people mover has been shown in right-hand drive in Hong Kong. The 009 Grand ditches the third row for a business class on wheels-like four-seat layout. Made to appeal to back-seat passengers, the 009 Grand has reclining seats wrapped in supple leather and synthetic suede. They will pamper the passengers with massage, heating and ventilation functions. A monster 43-inch LED display separates the front and rear rows, transforming the area to a boardroom on the move. There are lockable consoles in the rear, which open via a pin code, cubbyholes to put your shoes and a refrigerator.  Zeekr Australia’s Managing Director Frank Li has previously confirmed to CarsGuide the 009 Grand would come Down Under later this year. “In the second half of the year, we will be welcoming a very luxurious model, the 009 four-seater. “In China this is called the 009 Grand and it will have even better features than the current car,” Li said. The 009 Grand hasn’t been updated in China like the rest of the range, which means it misses out on the brand’s new 900-volt architecture and subsequent circa-400kW DC charging speed. Instead it maintains the 800-volt set-up of the current version, which delivers a DC charging rate of about 200kW. At its heart the 009 Grand has a 108kW Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) battery that delivers a driving range of more than 700km via China’s more lenient test cycle. Six- and seven-seat versions with the same hardware deliver a driving range of about 560km in Australia. The 009 Grand uses a dual motor set-up, with the two powerplants combining for 580kW and 810Nm. Big, luxurious people-movers are all the rage in China and several makers are going to get in on the act here. BYD’s Denza is offerings its D9 people mover and GAC has its more affordable M8 plug-in hybrid people mover on sale now, too.

Chinese cars have entered “uncharted territory”, according to Vice President of Geely Group Li Chuanhai. Chuanhai explained that as Chinese automakers became global entities, they could no longer rely on challenging the status quo of so-called legacy brands, but would have to innovate on their own if they want to move the industry forward. “Franky, the Chinese automotive industry has reached its current position by standing on the shoulders of giants in the century-old automotive industry,” he said. “But now that we’re taking the lead, we have entered uncharted territory. How do we innovate in uncharted territory? I think our logic for innovation needs to change." He said Geely was well positioned to provide multiple power options, such as as petrol, hybrid and EV, across many markets, but there would still be the need to innovate further in the future. “Geely adheres to its energy diversification strategy. Our Thor hybrid, SEA EV, i-HEV, and green methanol developed over 20 years have created a complete ecosystem covering pure electric, hybrid, range extender, methanol, and charging/battery swapping. We’ve successfully explored every path to provide global users with more choices,” he said. Chuanhai outlined some investments Geely was making including collaborations with “more than 50 universities on basic research”. He said this “may not yield immediate returns” for the group, but that innovation required “adequate resource investment, effective ecosystem collaboration, and sufficient talent density”. Chuanhai earmarked the success of its premium Zeekr arm as evidence Geely had moved beyond its challenger status. “We don't have the time to build the brand story that century-old established brands have accumulated over time,” he said. “New energy and intelligent technologies have brought us opportunities for brand advancement. However, we also believe that the foundation for brand advancement lies in safety, chassis and powertrain—areas that best reflect our core professional capabilities." He said the brand is aiming for Volvo’s ultimate safety, Lotus’ ultimate handling and Horse Powertrain’s ultimate performance. He said the 750,000 units Zeekr has delivered in its short existence have an average selling price of more than the equivalent of $62,000, comparatively very high for a Chinese brand, with the national average being a little over half that ($35,000). “The essence of Chinese automotive globalisation is not about low prices and high volume, but about being rooted in technology and driven by brands, ultimately moving from simply selling cars to defining the future of automobiles,” he said. “We hope that Geely's experience can serve as a model for Chinese automakers going global, and we believe that China's automotive industry is fully capable of winning respect and establishing a firm foothold in the world.” Next for Geely in Australia will be its EX2 fully electric hatchback, which will be followed by the Emgrand EM-i plug-in hybrid sedan. Zeekr will launch its flagship 9X plug-in hybrid large SUV before the end of the year, alongside the 7GT fully-electric performance wagon. In 2027, the much-hyped 8X large five-seat hybrid SUV will arrive, with Geely also plotting a yet-to-be confirmed three-row hybrid SUV offering.

Vice President of Zeekr Group Mars Chen explained what the Chinese luxury brand’s ultimate objective is. Some of its Chinese rivals frequently cite the huge and lucrative US market as the ultimate aspiration, Zeekr’s goal is somehow both more subtle and loftier at the same time. “We are not a ‘real’ luxury brand yet, right?” Chen said. “We’re still only five years old.” “I think it’s to be the top premium choice, with or without a battery,” he said. “In the end, it’s if people don’t mention whether it’s an EV or it’s a hybrid. You need a nice, expensive, fancy car? Zeekr is a brand you absolutely must check. It’s one you cannot avoid.” Chen wasn’t so keen on factoring the US into Zeekr’s immediate plans for the future. "With the US market, if you take out pick-ups, then the passenger car market is not that big. It is a big cake, but still, without that cake we’d like to make a very nice meal,” said Chen. Chen said the brand was discussing the potential of a ute or pick-up truck to add to Zeekr’s expanding range of headline-grabbing models. Interestingly one factor which the brand was considering is how tightly contested the segment was becoming, with seemingly every Chinese automaker scrabbling to release a “box-style” hybrid off-roader. Chen said a potential for a ute or US-style pick-up truck is just a discussion for now. “We want to re-define every single segment. Once we identify the segment, Zeekr will check how disruptive we can be if we enter. We have the curiosity to do it, but it’s not a concrete thing.” “If we cannot create enough differentiation, of course we won’t just follow or replicate ,” he said. Chen said Zeekr’s strategy is to focus on just a few consolidated models, rather than cars that are “customised just for one country. Even just China”. “If we want to be in that segment, we have to be a global brand.” Zeekr’s model range as it stands is limited to the X small SUV, 009 People Mover, 7X mid-size SUV, 007 and 7GT sedan and wagon pair, as well as the incoming 8X large SUV and 9X flagship. For the Australian market, the brand has shot from relative obscurity in its first year on the market to a front runner in the EV space, thanks to the arrival of its extremely competitive 7X mid-sizer. The model has gone on to become the fourth-best-selling electric vehicle in the country, racking up 973 units to the end of April, trailing only the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7 and Geely EX5 in that order. The 9X and 8X large SUVs which are set to follow in the next 12 months will shift the brand to plug-in hybrid territory and have already created quite some hype in the market, despite asking prices looking like they’ll start well and truly in premium territory.

Zeekr has confirmed its future plans in Australia, outlining an expanded catalogue of hyped-up models, and updated versions of its current cars by 2027. The brand’s local Managing Director Frank Li said Zeekr would have several models coming this year and next year. Read on to see what they are. 2026 Zeekr X facelift The Zeekr X, which the brand originally launched with in Australia in late 2024, will receive a major update. While the brand no doubt had big hopes for the small SUV as a more keenly priced and tech-heavy alternative to the Volvo EX30 it shares a platform, sales so far have been lacklustre.  An update due this year will seek to make the model an even more attractive proposition, according to Mr Li. “We will have the Zeekr X facelift, which will come in the first half of this year. It will score some very good improvements when it comes to battery and interior features, as well as new colours,” he said. An update to the X already exists in China. While it looks identical from the outside, it features an overhauled interior, with a more practical and contemporary raised console design, as well as new seat and door trims. Interestingly the Chinese market model also features fold-up rear seats similar to Honda’s “Magic seat” set-up it uses in the HR-V to transform the second row into a second cargo space. Stay tuned for more details on which features might make it to the Australian market soon. 2026 Zeekr 009 Grand The X won’t be the only current model in the Zeekr line-up to receive an upgrade, with the 009 luxury electric people mover slated to receive a range-topping flagship variant. “In the second half of the year, we will be welcoming a very luxurious model, the 009 four-seater.” “In China this is called the 009 Grand and it will have even better features than the current car,” Li said. The 009 Grand takes aim at the likes of the Lexus LM as an ultra high-end people transporter. With only four seats, the 009 feautres a similar high-end set-up to the top-spec LM, with a giant entertainment screen bulkhead separating the front seats from the rear. It also scores gold badgework in its Chinese home market, with gigantic chrome-style wheels. Whether this fully electric model will undercut the hybrid LM Ultra Luxury’s $223,520 price-tag remains to be seen. 2027 Zeekr 8X When queried on the topic of future models, Mr Li told CarsGuide: “Three models will be coming across next year, 7GT, 9X, and 8X, but we haven’t had final date for which one will come first, or in which month or what quarter.” he said. This is the big exciting news. While some were probably hoping for the much-hyped new hybrid and electric models to arrive sooner to bolster Zeekr’s range, the confirmation that they will be joining the right-hand drive arsenal alongside the 7X as global models is big. The just-launched-in-China 8X is perhaps the most hyped of the options. A new rival to the likes of the Range Rover Sport, Audi Q6, and Lexus RX, the 8X large SUV looks set to offer buyers a larger format of the same luxury and value on offer in the 7X, but this time with a plug-in hybrid twist. It’s no average plug-in hybrid either, combining a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine (205kW) paired with electric motors, producing a combined 660kW in dual-motor form, or 1080kW in top-spec tri-motor form, allowing a 0-100km/h sprint time in as low as 3.7 seconds.  On top of that, it has the option of two EV-sized batteries, either 55.1kWh or 70kWh with a 900-volt architecture the brand says can charge from 10 - 80 per cent in just 9 minutes on a charger capable of outputting the right speed.  Total EV range sits at 256km or 328km according to chinese specs depending on battery size, with combined range landing at 1416km to the same measuring standard. 2027 Zeekr 9X The 9X is also on Mr Li’s hit list for models aiming at our market. This flagship three-row SUV measures in at 5239mm and over two meters wide, making it a similar size to the Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7, and full-size Range Rover. It offers much of the same style as the 8X, but with a larger, boxier, and more chrome-embossed overall design. It is offered only in an ultra-luxurious six-seat layout for the Chinese market, with the second row ‘captain’s chairs’ able to fully recline and even fully rotate to face the rear seats. It also shares its peak powertrain with the 8X, offering a 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid system with a peak output of 1030kW, mated to a 70kWh battery with a 9 minute charging time and 1250km of combined driving range. Even the most affordable version of the 9X in China costs the equivalent of A$100,000, giving this monster SUV a real shot of being the most expensive Chinese car on sale in Australia when it arrives in 2027. 2027 Zeekr 7GT The Zeekr 7GT has already been shown in Australia (albeit in left-hand drive form) at several EV shows around the country as the brand’s potential next model, although Li’s comments suggest it may now arrive after either the 8X or 9X depending on what HQ back in China decides. Regardless, the 7GT is an unusual and exciting proposition by a Chinese automaker, offering a Euro-styled go-fast wagon in pure electric form. Offering an 800-volt battery, up to 825km of driving range (according to the lenient CTLC cycle on the biggest 100kWh battery pack), and a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 2.95 seconds, the 7GT looks to give some of the European performance metal in our market a run for their money. Like other Zeekr models, expect luxury trims on the inside, swish software and cabin tech, and either a rear-drive 310kW variant, or a 475kW AWD variant. Other performance enhancements include an air suspension system and adaptive damping. Interestingly, the brand has had less to say on the 7GT’s sedan variant (dubbed the 007 in its Chinese home market), making the potentially wagon-only line-up a bit of a statement in the Australian market.

Zeekr has lowered the price of entry to its 009 electric people mover range by $20,000 with the addition of a new model grade.

Why Australia is becoming a battleground for Chinese premium brands.

First we had to get our heads around the multitude of new brands going on sale in Australia, now we’re trying to cope with the massive power outputs of the models as Chinese brand Lynk & Co launches its 900 large SUV with a plug-in hybrid system producing a colossal 540kW. The price is relatively small too with the Range Rover-sized, and also extremely luxurious 900, listing for about $62,000 in China. There is more than a passing resemblance to the Range Rover, with the hulking 900 featuring a set-back cabin, tall windows and rounded rear end. Inside the cabin has a minimal design with a giant media screen spanning most of the dashboard. The 900 has three rows of two seats with the second row able to be turned to face the third. A giant drop-down roof-mounted  30-inch 6K media screen is also available for entertainment.  Powering the 900 is a choice of two powertrains.  The first is a plug-in hybrid 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four cylinder engine making a 140kW and that in turn is paired to two electric motors: a 160kW unit on the front axle and a 230kW motor at the rear. Total combined output is 530kW. The second is also a plug-in hybrid but it uses a 2.0-litre petrol engine with two electric motors - one at the front making 123kW and a rear motor making 230kW for a combined 540kW. As for battery size the 1.5-litre variant has a 44.85kW unit while the 2.0-litre version has a 52.38kWh pack. According to Lynk & Co both 900 models have a combined range of up to about 1350km (CLTC) The big news really is the price with the 900 listing from $62,000 in China.  It's not known if Lynk & Co will launch the 900 in Australia. Currently the company is holding off its arrival into our market until its parent company, Zeekr, establishes itself here. The past two years have seen numerous Chinese car manufacturers enter the Australian market including BYD, Geely, Leapmotor, Deepal and JAC. Zeekr, which is owned by auto giant Geely, recently took control over Lynk & Co and it is expected to arrive in Australia by 2028. Zeekr meanwhile has launched it little X SUV and its 009 people mover and a mid-sized 7X will arrive in 2025, too.  Zeekr's 9X which uses the same foundations as the Lynk & Co 900 may also arrive in Australia.