Chinese carmaker Zeekr has revealed its flagship 9X SUV at the Shanghai auto show ahead of the car’s official launch in the third quarter of this year.
According to the brand’s local operations, the 5.3-metre long model is under active consideration for Australia as it looks to strengthen its two-strong line-up, currently consisting of the X electric SUV and 009 electric people mover.
In terms of design, the 9X strongly resembles luxury SUV staples, such as the Rolls-Royce Cullinan or Toyota Century SUV. That said, it borrows its foundations from fellow Geely-owned brand Lynk & Co’s 900, which is slated for release later this month.
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Underneath, the 9X will carry a Xiaoyao battery pack from CATL that Zeekr claims will deliver 380km of pure-electric range, marking the furthest distance among hybrid SUVs globally.
Zeekr hasn’t detailed the exact size of the battery, nor total power and torque outputs, but it will come paired to a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that delivers 205kW on its own.
The entire configuration will see the 9X rocket from 0-100km/h in a claimed 3.0 seconds.
Ride comfort will be secured through “industry-first” dual-chamber air suspension and active stabiliser bars, the brand says.
Inside, there will be Rolls-Royce-style starlight headlining, while Zeekr’s 'G-Pilot H9' autonomous driving system with five Lidar sensors will also be fitted.
The 9X’s twin, the Lynk & Co 900, will launch before the 9X, which the brand says has already attracted some 40,000 pre-orders. The brand is set to launch in Australia next year.
It loses the 9X’s large chrome grille and LED headlight clusters for a flat front bumper panel and dual-'fanged' headlights. There are different wheel designs in addition to the 900’s unique rear LED tail-light bar design.
Zeekr says the 900’s dual-electric-motor, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine set-up delivers a total power output of 650kW, while the time it takes to sprint from 0-100km/h rises to 4.3 seconds.
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Inside, the 900 boasts twin 30-inch 6K displays and six seats with 180-degree rotating functions.
Pricing for either model is unclear, although in China, the 9X is anticipated to range from approximately A$110,000 for the base-spec to A$215,000 for the top-spec ‘Grand Edition’.
Full pricing and specifications for the 9X are expected to emerge ahead of the car’s official launch later this year.
