Geely, a leading Chinese automaker, has announced the launch of its latest electric vehicle, the Zeekr 001, which boasts a remarkable range of 1032 km on a single charge. This is a significant upgrade from the original model, which was unveiled in 2021 with a claimed range of 700 km. The upgraded version is equipped with a 140 kWh high-efficiency ternary lithium battery from Chinese Amperex Technology Limited (CATL), the same company that supplies battery packs to Tesla.
The 2023 Zeekr 001 lineup includes four different models, with claimed ranges ranging from 546 km to 1032 km. Prices for the new models start at $43,500 and go up to $55,900 for the long-range, single-motor Zeekr 001. Although Geely has limited its production of the Zeekr 001 to 1000 units for sale in China, the automaker has announced its intention to sell its vehicles in North America and has already registered an Australian trademark for the Zeekr name.
Visually, the 2023 Zeekr 001 is largely unchanged from the original model, with the exception of three new body colors – orange, blue, and black. The top-end YOU Edition is equipped with an optional sports package, which costs $5,000 and includes 22-inch forged alloy wheels, Brembo six-piston front brake calipers, an Alcantara interior, and sports seats.
The Zeekr 001’s impressive performance is due to its advanced dual-motor four-wheel drive system, which delivers 400 kW of power and 686 Nm of torque, resulting in a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 3.8 seconds. The single-motor rear-drive version has 200 kW of power and 343 Nm of torque and is equipped with either a 100 kWh or 140 kWh battery pack, offering ranges of 741 km or 1032 km, respectively.
Despite its impressive performance, the Zeekr 001 has only been tested on the Chinese CTLC cycle, which is known to be less accurate than the WLTP cycle used in Europe. However, the car has already won two awards from Guinness World Records in 2021 for the fastest drift by an electric car and the fastest electric car slalom.
The CATL battery used in the Zeekr 001 is a third-generation design that uses cell-to-pack technology to improve energy density and storage, which gives the car its remarkable range. Delivery of the 2023 Zeekr 001 is expected to start in the second quarter of 2023.
In conclusion, Geely has once again raised the bar with its latest electric vehicle, the Zeekr 001, which offers an impressive range of 1032 km on a single charge. The automaker has limited its production of the Zeekr 001 to 1000 units for sale in China, but it has already announced its intention to sell its vehicles in North America and has registered an Australian trademark for the Zeekr name. With its advanced technology and impressive performance, the Zeekr 001 is sure to make a splash in the electric vehicle market.
