The Zeekr 001, which we first drove in 2023, was never a weakling to begin with, but now it’s had another dose of steroids. In China, the updated version for 2026 is presented with a power boost from 400 kW (544 hp EU specs) to 680 kW (912 hp) for the two-motor version.
This makes this 4WD premium shooting brake ‘fly’ from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and allows a top speed of 280 km/h. Its exterior design remains essentially unchanged, as would be the current price, Chinese media speculate.
Truck-grade charging speed
Built on a new 900-V SEA platform and equipped with the 95 kW Golden Battery, it claims an 810 km CLTC range. It can charge at truck-grade speeds of more than 1,000 kW, topping up the battery from 10 to 80% in just seven minutes—the current European 001 charges at 150 kW.
That ’12C’ DC charging performance is theoretical. You can’t simply plug into a 1 MW charger for cars in Europe today in the same way you plug into a 50 kW or even a 350 kW DC fast charger. The infrastructure is mostly still in pilot mode for heavy-duty vehicles.
Not a rebadged Zeekr 001 FR
This is not a stripped-down version of the performance-oriented Zeekr 001 FR. That one turned out to be pure muscle, with 1,265 horsepower (943 kW) from four silicon carbide electric motors utilizing torque vectoring technologies to deliver maximum power, which can be adjusted in milliseconds.
It’s built on the same SEA1 800 V-platform as the current basic 001. But the FR aims to challenge Tesla’s Model S Plaid with an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.07 seconds in a rolling start scenario. The price is somewhat in line with those: 769,000 yuan or 91,700 euros.
The 2026 Zeekr 001 appears to be a distinct evolution, incorporating some overlapping technologies and design language, yet not simply a rebranded version of the same car. Compared to the current ‘basic’ model, there are significant performance and technical updates, although overall design remains mainly the same.
Dual-chamber air suspension
One of these improvements is the CDC continuous damping control system and dual-chamber air suspension, which can be adjusted from 85 mm to 206 mm in height, giving the car more ‘off-road’ capabilities if necessary, the company claims.
It features a more robust sensor suite, comprising 31 sensors in total, including LiDAR, enhanced cameras, and radar, which enable improved detection in challenging conditions, such as nighttime, clutter, and complex traffic.
However, it is not yet clear whether the G-Pilot H7 in the updated 001 (China spec) will be carried into the European version. Homologation, regulation, cost, and safety standards may impose differences.
Next to the 4WD version, there is an entry-level RWD variant that features a single electric motor producing 370 kW (489 hp). It gets two battery options: 95 kWh (LFP) or 103 kWh (ternary NMC) with ranges (CLTC) cited between 710 and 810 km.
Initially meant to be Lynk & Co EV
The Zeekr 001 began its life as a concept model, which eventually was meant to evolve into Lynk & Co’s first fully electric vehicle. Still, after reconsideration, it was deemed ‘too good’ to resist the temptation of putting it on the market as a new premium brand.
Zeekr is now a premium electric vehicle brand, launched by Geely (Zhejiang Geely Holding Group) in 2021. Still, with strong ties to Sweden as a sister-brand to Volvo, Polestar, and Lynk & Co. With the latter, it shares an R&D and design center in Gothenburg, Sweden.
It was built as a ‘luxury electric’ arm of Geely, to compete more directly with peers like Tesla, Nio, or BYD’s premium Denza brand. The first European showroom opened in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2023, with Norway among the first countries to enter.
Since it has shifted parts of its European sales and marketing operations to the Netherlands (Amsterdam) to tap into European talent and infrastructure.
Setting up the Belgian network
The brand, which has only officially existed for two years, is expanding beyond its current market boundaries in Sweden, the Netherlands, and Norway by entering Belgium as of this summer.
Jens Van Humbeek, a veteran of D’Ieteren Auto and Lotus Cars Europe, is establishing the new Zeekr network. Zeekr has opened its first showrooms in Brussels, Ghent, Liège, and Namur, with plans for further expansion.
The brand has partnered with two confirmed local distributors: Sterckx – De Smet, which already represents Geely, Volvo, and Polestar in Belgium, and Groupe Schyns, which carries Stellantis brands (Citroën, Peugeot, Alfa Romeo) and also works with the Chinese EV brand Leapmotor.
Deliveries in China from October 11
There is no word yet when we might expect this beefed-up 2026 version of the Zeekr 001 in Belgium. In China, it’s expected to be available at dealerships from October 4, with an official launch and deliveries scheduled for October 11.
It is now available for pre-order in China, but prices will be disclosed later in October. Currently, the Zeekr 001 is sold with a starting price range of 259,000 yuan (approximately €30,850) to 329,000 yuan (approximately €39,200). To compare, the current 001 in Belgium is priced from €60,990.
