The Zeekr X is the first model from Geely’s young premium brand to journey to the European market soon. In China, the series production has started. The car will be ready for delivery at the end of this week. Later this year, Zeekr’s smallest will be launched in Europe, starting in Sweden and the Netherlands. The much bigger 001 shooting brake will follow.

The Zeekr X is being built in a Geely plant in Chengdu (Sichuan province) and will cost 189 800 yuan in China in its basic version, some 25 000 euros. In Europe, the estimated starting price will be around € 35 000, cheaper than its stall mates it shares its platform and technology with, the Smart #1 and the Volvo EX 30.

Reuters reported in April that the Chinese brand has hired a former Lexus manager to head up its European operations. Spiros Fotinos is said to have been hired as Zeekr’s European boss since September 2022, according to an internal memo. The company has since confirmed the information to Reuters.

560 km of range… kind of

There is no real surprise in the spec sheet, as the Zeekr X gets the same 66 kWh battery and the same 272 hp or 428 hp drivetrains as found in the Smart #1 and #1 Brabus. The sprint to 100 kph can be made in 5,8 or 3,7 seconds, respectively.

Zeekr mentions a range of 560 km and 512 km, respectively, but those are Chinese-market CLTC figures, usually around 20% more optimistic than the WLTP range estimate used in Europe. So a 400-450 km range should be more realistic.

In-car fridge

The Zeekr X is 4 450 mm long, 1 836 mm wide, and 1 572 mm high, with a 2 750 mm wheelbase. The minimalist interior has a floating center armrest and a large central display, which houses almost all onboard functions and commands. Features include a moveable center screen, facial recognition, and an in-car refrigerator.

With the Zeekr X, the Geely brand is targeting a segment that has so far been served mainly by German manufacturers in China: compact premium cars. Zeekr CEO Andy An is quoted as saying that this market currently only has luxury brands but no real luxury products. That’s what Zeekr X wants to change, with an affordable price tag as an extra argument.