When Chinese giant Geely brings together the best of electrics, luxury and artificial intelligence, something monumental is created. Meet the Zeekr 9X.
What do we get if Rolls-Royce goes to a bootcamp in Silicon Valley and also masters kung fu? Something that strongly resembles Zeekr 9X, the latest product from Zeekr, a subsidiary of Chinese giant Geely. It's an SUV that's not just big, but also intelligent, prestigious and extremely capable. With its electric drive and luxurious interior, the Zeekr 9X takes direct aim at competitors like the Range Rover, BMW X7 and even the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. But not at their price.
Large, prestigious and advanced
The Zeekr 9X measures 5291 millimeters in length, which means it is larger than a Toyota Land Cruiser and almost as long as a Mercedes-Maybach GLS. With a width of 2050 mm and a height of 1818 mm, it offers a massive appearance, while the wheelbase of 3220 mm predicts royal comfort inside. Customers can choose between a six- or seven-seat layout, with the most luxurious version featuring only four “executive” seats with massage, cooling and heating, separate screens and a center console with a refrigerator. The luggage compartment is also cleverly designed – in the seven-seat configuration it offers around 400 liters of space, and in the four-seat configuration it offers well over 700 liters.
The Zeekr 9X's design is reminiscent of the world's most prestigious brands - with a tall, upright nose, a huge chrome grille, elegant LED headlights and hidden handles that disappear into the bodywork. You won't pass unnoticed with this SUV.
Battery-powered rocket or extremely economical hybrid
Technically, the Zeekr 9X sets new standards. The electric version is based on an advanced 900-volt architecture and uses CATL's latest Qilin battery with a capacity of around 100 kWh. Charging is carried out with a power of up to 480 kW, which allows the vehicle to gain up to 500 kilometers of range in ten minutes. The manufacturer states an acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h in around three seconds, which is exceptional considering the size and weight of the vehicle.
For those who prefer more flexibility, there is a plug-in hybrid version called the Super Hybrid. This combines a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, with a total system output of between 400 and 500 kilowatts. The range is expected to exceed 1,500 kilometers, which is the result of highly efficient components and large batteries with an electric range of more than 200 kilometers.
A car that can drive itself
Zeekr 9X is the brand's first model to offer Level 3 autonomous driving via the G-Pilot system. It is based on the NVIDIA Orin X processor and uses five LiDARs, a dozen radars and even more cameras, all connected to a powerful ZEEA 3.0 central unit, which enables fast data processing and real-time response to traffic conditions. In certain conditions, the vehicle can operate completely independently - start, stop, change lanes and park without the driver's assistance. Although the driver must remain attentive, driving becomes significantly more relaxed.
Price and options
In China, the Zeekr 9X will cost between 500,000 and 1,000,000 yuan, which is between 66,000 and 132,000 euros or 107,000 to 214,000 Australian dollars. Considering what it offers, this is an extremely competitive price, as comparable European SUVs are often twice as expensive. The model has not yet been officially announced in Europe and Australia, but experts estimate that expansion is only a matter of time, as Zeekr is already consolidating its presence with the compact Model X and the electric MPV 009.
Conclusion: the King from the East?
The Zeekr 9X is more than just another attempt by the Chinese in the luxury segment – it is a sovereign answer to the question of whether someone can surpass the boundaries set by the Western automotive industry. With its combination of comfort, design, electric and hybrid technology and autonomous driving, the 9X clearly indicates that the future will no longer be reserved solely for the old automotive giants. If it manages to convince traditional buyers and obtain the appropriate homologations for the global market, the Zeekr 9X could become the symbol of a new class of luxury SUVs. And maybe one day the choice will be in the garage – Rolls or Zeekr?
It's okay! A special car!
