NEW FACE: During the next year, you will probably see this design on Norwegian roads. All photos: ØIVIND A. MONN-IVERSEN
Test drive: Zeekr X
The automotive world is on its head: While we wait for a sensationally affordable Volvo EX30, a Chinese “twin” with a premium stamp is being launched.
Plus:
Distinctive character, speed resources, trailer weight
Minus:
Back seat, luggage space, price (?)
STOCKHOLM (Motor): – A completely different car, interrupts Allessandro Masimino, product manager at Zeekr, when Motor mentions the Volvo EX30 almost in a subordinate clause.
Because even though Volvo’s upcoming mini-SUV shares a platform, battery tray, engine, drivetrain and a number of other components with Zeekr, everyone professionally involved has a stable order that the cars should be separated from each other as best as possible.
Erased
That is why the Volvo representatives never talk about Polestar, and vice versa. And the VW people don’t mention Skoda or Audi – vice versa.
Here, the examples have gradually become many. The rapidly increasing collaboration across old brand and model boundaries has erased much of the cars’ natural uniqueness. And it obviously doesn’t get any better if you talk about it out loud.
Have you read these cases?
DISTINCTIVENESS: There is no doubt that the designers of Zeekr have had an ambition to stand out from the crowd.
Same battery pack
Zeekr X
Price in Norway: Not clear. Engine tips about 460,000 (RWD, rear-wheel drive) and 480,000 (AWD, four-wheel drive).
Battery: 64 kWt net. Range: 445 (RWD)/425 (AWD) km. Engine power: 272 hp/343 Nm (RWD)/428 hp/534 Nm (AWD). 0-100 km/h: 5.6 ( RWD), 3.8 (AWD). Top speed: 180 km/h. Length/width/height/ground clearance: 443/184/157, 17 cm. Luggage volume: 362 liters plus trunk 15 liters. Weight: 1855 (RWD)/ 1960 (AWD). Trailer weight: 1600 kg.
But then: It is the large Chinese car brand Geely that owns Zeekr and Volvo – and also brands such as Lotus, Polestar and Lynk & Co, in addition to being part owner of Smart together with Mercedes. This means that a number of the models with these marks on the tailgate share main components.
For example, the Zeekr X has the same battery pack of 64 kWt net and the same engine output of either 272 hp/343 Nm (rear-wheel drive) or 428 hp/534 Nm (four-wheel drive) as the Volvo EX30. You can find exactly the same number on the website of Smart#1.
BIG AND SMALL: It is almost 20 centimeters longer than, for example, the VW ID.3, but has less space both in the back seat and in the boot.
Design
The Zeekr X, on the other hand, is 4.43 cm long. It is almost 20 cm longer than the EX30 and Smart #1 and shows how scalable the newly developed platform for these cars is.
It seems as if the extra length has primarily been used for design purposes. Regardless of the angle, Zeekr has a distinctive appearance.
And speaking of cars that are fundamentally becoming more and more popular: It is becoming all the more important to stand out where you can. As per design. Zeekr does. And the result is successful, provided one likes to stand out.
TRADITIONAL: We see this interior design pretty much everywhere these days. The copper-coloured details are also repeated. A welcome absence of black lacquered plastic.
More skeptical
The door handles are also distinctive, as they fold in and down, leaving a rectangular hole to stick your hand into.
It works well in warm autumn sun on the outskirts of Stockholm, we are more skeptical of frost and freezing rain in even more northerly areas.
CROWDED: Dutch Martijn is indeed 1.93 cm tall, but even for slightly bigger children the legroom is poor and the knee angle sharp.
Tesla’s ease of use
From the inside, the doors are released with a button, logically placed high up on the door side, before the door is pushed out.
Inside, however, we register yet another sleepy element in today’s fashion image. The two screens are exactly the same as most other things. Functionally, it works well after a bit of getting used to, naturally inspired by Tesla’s superb user-friendliness.
UNTRADITIONAL: The handle turns inwards and leaves a hole for you to stick your hand into.
RELEASE: With this button in a fashionable copper colour, you release the door.
Incredibly fast
In terms of driving, the Zeekr is both precise and resilient, regardless of rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. A little wheel spin and drop with the stern on the former version is more fun than terrifying. The version with four-wheel drive and 428 horses is of course extremely fast.
Rear seat space is tight for adults. The knee angle will be as sharp and the thigh support as absent as on most small electric cars. But with 4.43 meters available, the result should have been better.
SNAUT: Around 360 liters of luggage volume is little to brag about in a modern electric car of 4.43 metres. The floor can be lifted up, but not removed. Two-part rear seat only.
HIDDEN: The small compartment under the boot floor is included in the 362 litres. There is also a 15-litre trunk in front.
Good trailer weight
The same applies to the luggage space. Volume of 362 liters is meager. Only the two-part rear seatback further reduces the impression of practicality. A trunk of 15 liters helps a little, a trailer weight of 1600 kg helps a lot.
Zeekr is already sold in Sweden and the Netherlands. Work is now also underway to set up an organization in Norway, and according to the plan, Zeekr will be seen on Norwegian roads during 2024. X is first out. Next will probably come 001, a nearly five meter long hatchback.
Half a million
The price is not clear. But in the Zeekr environment, there is talk of a premium car with a high level of equipment and lots of technology, which should be a step above the Volvo EX30, both in terms of size and price. Then we quickly approach half a million for the version with four-wheel drive and the most power.
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2023-10-04 22:14:40
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