Zeekr 001. Over 1,000 km on a single charge
The amazing electric liftback, the Zeekr 001, which set two world records and entered the Guinness World Records as the fastest electric car in drifting and slalom, has received a new version in China, capable of driving over 1,000 km on a single charge. The most long-range Zeekr 001 is equipped with a new CATL battery with a capacity of 140 kWh, which offers a driving range of about 1,032 km. But do not forget that the performance was measured according to the overly optimistic Chinese CLTC standard, but even if the liftback travels a little less than 1,000 km (even 800 km) it is still an excellent result.
Zeekr is already the fourth (!) electric vehicle brand of Geely. This brand is destined to conquer the Chinese premium segment, but not only. In the near future, it is expected to enter the world arena. The first model of the new ambitious brand is the Zeekr 001 large electric liftback, which began production in October 2021. The vehicle is already exported.
Zeekr 001. Details
The large electric liftback, with a length of 4.9 meters and a wheelbase of 3.0 meters, is built on the SEA modular architecture. In terms of size and general body style, the Zeekr 001 resembles the Porsche Panamera. According to the company, the electric car has ‘the performance of the Tesla Model X at half the price’. At the same time, a well-equipped model is expensive not only by Chinese, but even by world standards: the approximate cost varies from 97,000 to 125,000 dollars. In China, a liftback can be purchased for 45,000-58,000 dollars.
The electric vehicle is offered in three versions:
- A rear-wheel drive version with one electric motor with a capacity of 273 hp and a traction battery with a capacity of 100 kWh. It is also the most long-range version with a driving range of up to 700 km (within the NEDC cycle). Such a liftback accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds.
- An all-wheel drive version comes with two motors with a total output of 545 hp. Such a liftback accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. The battery has a capacity of 86 kWh and promises a driving range of more than 500 km.
- A top-end version comes with two motors, four-wheel drive and a large 100 kWh battery, which allows you to travel up to 656 km on a single charge.
The new 2023 Zeekr 001 version will get two motors and a new CATL battery with a capacity of 140 kWh. The battery is the development of a new generation called Qilin. Its features are high energy density (up to 255 W/kg) and the ability to charge from 10% to 80% in 10 minutes. By the way, the luxury minivan Zeekr 009 will also use such a battery. At this stage, the long-range version is offered in a limited edition of only 1,000 copies.
Another innovation is a LiDAR sensor, an optical range finder, located on the roof of the updated liftback. Such sensors are considered advanced and are gaining popularity among automotive companies in China. It is believed that such a ‘lidar’ allows the autonomous driving system to more effectively recognize obstacles on the road. They are already installed on cars of such brands as Nio and Xpeng. Obviously, Zeekr did not want to lag behind startups and soon its production versions will receive a fashionable and technically sophisticated sensor.
