After releasing photographs of its third production model late last month, Chinese automaker Zeekr unveils the X, a compact battery-electric CUV.
Zeekr plans to introduce the X to selected markets following a planned public debut at the Shanghai auto show in April, kicking off what Zeekr officials say will be an aggressive global push by the company, which aims to double its annual sales to over 140,000 units this year.
Known under the internal codename BX1E, the 4-door X is based on parent company Geely’s Scalable Electric Architecture platform.
The new model has been developed alongside Zeekr’s Smart #1 and the upcoming Volvo EX30. It will be produced in the Chinese city of Chengdu.
The length, width and height of the X is 175.2 ins. (4,450 mm), 72.3 ins. (1,836 mm) and 61.8 ins. (1,570 mm), respectively, making it 7.1 ins. (180 mm) longer, 0.6 ins. (15 mm) wider and 2.6 ins. (66 mm) lower than the Smart #1.
The X also rides on a wheelbase measuring 108.3 ins. (2,751 mm) – the same as the new Smart model, which was designed and engineered in partnership with Mercedes-Benz.
Zeekr is holding back information relating to the X’s electric drivetrains until closer to the CUV’s introduction. However, it is likely to share single-motor rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor all-wheel-drive systems with the Smart #1.
The Volvo EX30 is expected to run similar drivetrains.
Zeekr confirms a headlining performance version of the X will boast a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of under 4.0 seconds, indicating it is likely to receive the same 422-hp driveline as the Smart #1 Brabus.
By naming its new CUV the X, Zeekr has broken with the naming system established with its first two production models, the 001 station wagon and 009 MPV. Earlier indications were that it was to take the 003 model name into production.
Zeekr was founded in 2021. In its first full year of production in 2022, the automaker, based in the city of Hangzhou, sold 72,000 cars.
