Following the launch of its first manufacturing mannequin – the 001 – final 12 months and the beginning of manufacturing of the 009 minivan final month, Chinese language premium EV model Zeekr will proceed its enlargement with two new fashions and an entry to the European market this 12 months.
The Geely-owned automaker introduced bold targets for 2023 in an inner letter from CEO An Conghui to the workers seen by CarNewsChina. These embrace the goal to double gross sales and ship 140,000 automobiles, launch two new fashions, and enter Europe, amongst different targets.
In line with beforehand launched info, the 2 new EVs would be the Zeekr 003 compact SUV (codenamed BXE1) and a sedan codenamed CS1E, with the previous tipped to spearhead the model’s European enlargement later this 12 months.
Really, the Zeekr 003 was formally teased by mum or dad firm Geely Group a few days in the past on Twitter. The photographs confirmed a prototype carrying an artwork car-like camouflage whereas testing in Sweden. Zeekr additionally confirmed darkish teaser photographs of the automobile it describes as a “premium city SUV” with glorious drivability.
10 Photographs
The car appears decidedly fashionable and options some Lynk & Co design cues such because the LED DRLs mounted on the entrance finish. Highlights embrace the cut up headlights, plunged hood, large air consumption within the entrance bumper, pop-out door handles, and weird form of the C pillar.
Seen from the rear, the Zeekr 003 exhibits an prolonged roof spoiler, a really slender rear window that includes one of many smallest windshield wipers we have ever seen on a manufacturing automobile, and slim taillights united by a horizontal mild strip that stops within the center because it meets the Zeekr lettering.
We do know the Zeekr 003 will use the identical Sustainable Expertise Structure (SEA) EV platform because the Zeekr 001 and 009 – plus different EVs from the Geely, Lynk & Co, Sensible and Lotus manufacturers – however no powertrain specs can be found. Nevertheless, Zeekr notes that the 003 is able to accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) inside 4 seconds.
We additionally get a sign of the car’s dimension as one of many photographs exhibits the Zeekr 003 parked behind an Audi e-tron GT. The compact SUV considerably shorter total than the Audi, and the wheelbase can be shorter; the Zeekr noticeably greater, although.
CarNewsChina estimates the Zeekr 003 is slightly below 4.4 meters (173.2 inches) lengthy, with a wheelbase of round 2.75 meters (108.2 inches). The crossover is clearly greater than the Audi.
In line with studies from China, the Zeekr 003 is prone to launch within the first half of this 12 months, with a potential debut on the Shanghai Auto Present in April. Afterward, the mannequin can even turn into accessible in Europe.
