Zeekr, the EV-only brand owned by Chinese auto giant Geely, has released official images of its upcoming compact SUV. 

    Straying from the pattern of its other models, named the 001 and 009, the model spearheading the Chinese brand’s entry into Europe will be named the Zeekr X

    The Zeekr X will be the third model added to the Zeekr lineup after the 001 liftback, and the 009 people mover aimed at Asian markets. 

    Full details of the X will be released after launch at the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show in April, but for now the brand has confirmed that the X will make the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in less than four seconds. 

    Admittedly well hidden by camouflage in previous images, the bonnet of the Zeekr X features a raised centre bulge as well as lifted two-part headlights leading back to the windshield. 

    No visible door handles in the images suggest hidden buttons that will provide access to the cabin. 

    The rear is labelled with a backlit Zeekr badge sitting between slim LED bar tail lights. 

    The Zeekr X was designed in Gothenburg, Sweden under the leadership of Stefan Sielaff, who has previously worked as design director at automakers including Audi, Volkswagen, and Bentley.

    Spy shots released by CarNewsChina last week give a glimpse of the Zeekr X interior, showing a spacious cabin without a centre/transmission tunnel for a light, airy feeling.

    The dashboard looks to be almost completely devoid of buttons, with a central touchscreen infotainment system and a digital dashboard behind the steering wheel. 

    Zeekr has confirmed the X will be based on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture, a dedicated EV platform that allows for rear and all-wheel drive configurations. 

    So far, Zeekr is tight-lipped on any other technician specifications, only saying the X can “drive smoothly at high speeds thanks to optimised aerodynamic performance”. 

    The Zeekr X measures up at 4450 mm long, 1572mm tall, and 1836mm wide, with a 2750mm wheelbase

    These dimensions make the Zeekr X only 20mm shorter in length and 64mm shorter in height than the Smart #1, another Geely-owned model based on the same Sustainable Experience Architecture. Also expected to feature the same underpinnings is the upcoming Volvo EX30.

    Eilidh McNaughton
    Eilidh McNaughton is a Contributor at CarExpert.
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