The chief engineer for Zeekr’s European division has bold plans to take on the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz – as well as their respective performance sub-brands – with the new 8X and 9X large SUVs.
Speaking with CarExpert at the Auto China 2026 motor show in Beijing, the chief engineer for mechanical architecture at Zeekr Europe, Kennet Pettersson, said he wants Zeekr to be considered alongside the German stalwarts in the upper echelons of the luxury SUV segment.
“[We are] targeting the premium Germans for sure in that segment. We want to beat them and be on the same level, or even better,” he said.
“I think we are [already] better when it comes to BEV behaviour – how our car interacts and so on, infotainment, and that stuff – so I think we’re already there.”
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
Furthermore, when asked if the high-performance version of the 8X in particular could take on models from the Audi Sport, BMW M and Mercedes-AMG performance brands, Mr Pettersson replied “for sure, yes”.
“I think [we] have a chance. If the emotion isn’t there for the ICE [internal combustion engine], driving dynamics would be the same,” said Zeekr’s European engineering chief, clarifying that while the 8X and 9X sound like plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) on paper, they drive more like extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs).
“When you start thinking about PHEV, like the cars on the street today that have maybe an [EV] range of say, 100km maximum, they have an ICE integrated with the wheels, so you have this driving behaviour from the ICE all the time.
“With this one [the 8X and 9X], it acts like a BEV. So you cannot recognise it’s PHEV because the engine runs very smoothly, it’s disconnected from the wheels at up to say 80km/h, and above 80 you can connect the wheels with a driveshaft to improve fuel-efficiency.
“But in general, it acts like a BEV. You have the same responsiveness, torque and instant response, the smoothness.
“[For] everyday driving, it has [EV] range of between 200-300km depending on driving style and climate. And when you go long distance with less charging infrastructure, you use the engine.
“You have 50-60 litres of fuel in it, so the range would be like up to 1200km, so you don’t need to be afraid of losing possibility to charge,” Mr Pettersson added.
The Zeekr 8X and 9X have both been locked in for the Australian market, where they’re scheduled to arrive in local showrooms either very late in 2026 or sometime in 2027.
Measuring 5100mm long, 1998mm wide and 1780mm tall on a 3069mm wheelbase, the two-row Zeekr 8X is almost as long as a BMW X7; while the larger and more slab-sided 9X bumps those measurements to 5239/2029/1819/3169mm.
Both SUVs offer EREV drivetrains, which mate a 205kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with either two or three electric motors, as well as either 55.1kWh or 70kWh battery packs – though as Mr Pettersson noted earlier, the engine can still drive the wheels.
Dual-motor versions quote system power outputs of 660kW/935Nm, while the most powerful tri-motor variants boast whopping 1030kW/1410Nm outputs. EV driving range, meanwhile, is around 350-400km on China’s more lenient CLTC test cycle depending on the variant, with total combined range of well over 1000km.
For the smaller of the two SUVs – which is still positively large – the tri-motor drivetrain is offered in the ‘8X Dawn’ variant, which has plenty of performance kit to take the fight to AMG and M.
Not only does its 1030kW electrified powertrain come with a rapid 2.96-second 0-100km/h claim, and an equally speedy 20-80 per cent battery fast-charging time of just nine minutes thanks to its 900V electrical architecture, the Zeekr 8X Dawn adds a range of upgrades over the standard model.
A carbon-fibre body kit claims to improve aero, and there’s even an ‘active tail fin’ that extends the roof spoiler upwards at high speeds to improve downforce at the rear.
Tyres measuring 275mm wide up front and 315mm wide at the rear wrap around massive alloy wheels to improve grip, and behind them are 412mm front and 364mm rear vented and perforated brake rotors, with the front discs grabbed by six-piston Brembo calipers.
Inside, there’s more carbon-fibre trim, a ‘Boost’ button on the steering wheel to optimise the powertrain for max attack “for up to 20 seconds”, sports seats with integrated head restraints, active noise cancellation, and a Naim premium sound system – the same brand that does high-end audio for Bentley.
The Zeekr 8X and 9X will sit above the existing small X and mid-size 7X electric SUVs in the Australian lineup, in which they’ll debut Zeekr’s ‘Super Hybrid’ drivetrains locally.
Pricing and specifications haven’t been confirmed for the Australian market as yet, though Chinese-market pricing for the 8X starts at 376,800 yuan (A$77,142), slotting it in below the cheapest 009 people mover at 439,000 yuan (A$89,876). Here, the 009 lineup opens at $115,900 before on-road costs.
Zeekr Australia managing director, Frank Li, told CarExpert earlier this month the 9X will be subject to Luxury Car Tax, meaning it will be priced above the current $91,387 threshold for ‘fuel-efficient’ vehicles.
With that in mind, expect the cheapest 8X to start around the $85,000-$100,000 mark and the 9X to kick off in the $100,000-$120,000 bracket. That’s not cheap, but given the performance and electrification on offer here, it should represent strong value alongside similarly sized competitors from premium European marques.
The premium Chinese brand has also confirmed the 007 GT EV shooting brake wagon (likely to be known as the 7GT here) for release in Australia, where it’s set to arrive within the next 12 months.
Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest on Zeekr
MORE: Zeekr 8X SUV locked in for AustraliaMORE: Zeekr 9X SUV, 7GT wagon confirmed for Australia
