Final week, we have been invited to Zeekr’s first International ZKers Day in Ningbo, China, celebrating its neighborhood of homeowners and fanatics. Among the many vehicles on show at Geely’s Meishan plant throughout our go to was the 7X, the model’s subsequent worldwide mannequin after the X and 009.
The electrical SUV is a competitor to the Tesla Mannequin Y and, specifically, the BYD Sealion 7. The automotive has already been earmarked for our market and will probably be launched right here someday subsequent 12 months. Zeekr made nice pains throughout the journey to emphasize that it occupies the next market positioning than BYD, however the similarity in dimension between the 7X and Sealion 7 is stark.
Measuring 4,825 mm lengthy, 1,930 mm broad and 1,666 mm tall, the automotive is simply 5 millimetres shorter and wider than the Sealion 7 and 46 mm decrease, whereas its 2,925 mm wheelbase can be 5 millimetres shorter. Each vehicles are considerably bigger than the Tesla Mannequin Y, which prices across the identical worth because the BYD.
Zeekr goals to distinguish the 7X utilizing the expertise onboard, not least of which is the “sensible mild curtain” throughout the entrance fascia. In essence, the corporate has fitted a customisable, full-width dot-matrix show that sits above the primary headlights, made up of 1,831 LEDs. This show-stopping function can be utilized to point out the whole lot from completely different lighting signatures to a Tesla-style mild present (replete with backing music) and even your very personal customized message (which we’re certain received’t get abused by homeowners).
Fairly how a lot of this performance will make it to world markets is unclear, as homologation necessities and the cultural sensitivities of every market usually put a kibosh on such issues – nevertheless it certain is cool. So are the doorways, all 4 of which will be optioned with energy opening and shutting.
As anticipated, the inside is absolutely featured with a 13.02-inch digital instrument show (formed to seem like a basic instrument binnacle), an augmented actuality head-up show and a 16-inch mini-LED infotainment touchscreen, all working on the most recent Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 processor. This powers the “Hello Eva” voice management system, which includes generative AI performance. Different options embrace twin Qi wi-fi chargers and a 21-speaker, 2,160-watt sound system with headrest audio system.
The 7X’s inside can be very luxurious, geared up with 5 plush seats with loads of energy adjustment, upholstered in full-grain Nappa leather-based. The nearside rear passenger is especially effectively offered for, getting a powered ottoman, a power-folding desk and even a 13-inch OLED touchscreen. Heating, air flow and therapeutic massage features (all managed utilizing a six-inch touchscreen built-in within the rear armrest) are a given, and there’s additionally a digital camera for these on the entrance to verify on the rear occupants.
That’s not all – the dashboard will get a laser-etched wraparound ambient mild bar with 11 zones of customisation, whereas underneath the double-opening entrance armrest sits a heated and cooled storage compartment. There are additionally powered sunshades for each the panoramic glass roof and the rear facet home windows. The boot measures a commodious 616 litres, and there’s additionally a good 62-litre entrance boot.
In opposition to all these options, the mechanicals nearly appear to be an afterthought, however they’re spectacular in their very own proper. The 7X is out there in single-motor rear- and dual-motor all-wheel-drive variants, the previous producing 421 PS (310 kW) and 440 Nm, the latter including a entrance motor to spice up outputs to 646 PS (475 kW) and 710 Nm. Zero to 100 km/h is completed in 5.7 and three.8 seconds respectively.
The bottom mannequin makes use of Zeekr’s Golden Battery, a 75 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) unit that gives a variety of 605 km on China’s wildly optimistic CLTC cycle. The primary advantage of this pack is 5.5C charging velocity, which means the DC quick charging wattage (in kW) is 5.5 occasions the capability of the battery, so round 410 kW. So geared up, the battery will be topped up from 10 to 80% in simply 10.5 minutes.
For extra vary, consumers can flip to CATL’s Qilin battery, a 100 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) pack that allows the 7X to journey as much as 780 km on a single cost (705 km with AWD). Though charging is barely slower, the 800-volt electrical structure means charging from 10 to 80% nonetheless takes solely quarter-hour. Air suspension is optionally available, with the AWD mannequin getting it as normal.
In China, the 7X comes with a lidar sensor above the windscreen, enabling extremely automated driving on highways together with computerized lane adjustments and the power to navigate freeway exits. Metropolis driving can be supported and will probably be enabled by way of an over-the-air replace.
It needs to be famous that the options listed are for the Chinese language market and never all are anticipated to make the transition to different international locations. Nonetheless, what do you consider the 7X, and would you purchase one on the subject of Malaysia? Hold forth within the feedback after the leap.
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