Zeekr’s launch in Malaysia shall be led by two electrical autos (EVs), one in every of which is the 009, a big MPV that can rival the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire. Forward of the model’s introduction right here, Zeekr Malaysia introduced us out to the model’s house metropolis of Ningbo in China to take a look at the 009, so right here’s a gallery of the premium providing earlier than it goes on sale right here.
First unveiled in 2022, the 009 is constructed on the Sustainable Expertise Structure (SEA), particularly the SEA1 platform that’s for bigger autos with wheelbases of round 3,000 mm or extra. Different fashions that use this platform embody the 001, Volvo EM90 and Polestar 4.
Measuring 5,209 mm lengthy, 2,024 mm broad, 1,848 mm tall and with a wheelbase of three,205 mm, the 009 is greater than the Alphard/Vellfire MPVs which can be 5,005-5,010 mm lengthy, 1,850 mm broad, 1,950 mm tall and having a wheelbase of three,000 mm.
Design-wise, the 009 is a moderately imposing automobile with a big entrance grille that’s both in physique color or chrome, accompanied by vertical accents that may be illuminated – known as the ‘Fountain of Mild’. There’s additionally cut up lighting on the entrance, with the primary headlamps nestled additional near the air curtains, whereas above are the “N-shaped” daytime operating lights.
Energy-sliding doorways are on each side of the MPV, whereas the rear sporting intricate, full-width taillights and a powered tailgate. 19-inch wheel in one in every of two designs are normal for the 009, though prospects can choice 20-inch models as nicely.
Shifting inside, the 009’s cabin options premium supplies and a easy dual-screen setup, the latter made up of a ten.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 15.4-inch central infotainment touchscreen. There’s not a lot in the best way of bodily controls, with virtually all automobile capabilities accessed by way of the touchscreen, together with the three-zone local weather system.
Different premium options discovered within the 009 are twin sunroofs in addition to a Yamaha sound system that consists of 13 audio system, one subwoofer in addition to six audio system built-in into the headrests of the motive force and second-row seats. There’s additionally a 15W wi-fi charger, six USB-C ports (one 15W, 4 18W and one 60W) and a 15.6-inch touchscreen for the rear passengers.
On that point out, the 009 is obtainable as six-seater in China with a 2+2+2 format, with the second row having powered govt seats that may be put right into a kind of “airplane” mode. These seats additionally include heating, air flow and therapeutic massage capabilities, all of that are managed by way of a panel on the outer armrests. These within the second row may use a HDMI port to plug in gadgets to the display within the ceiling, and the door playing cards have a touchscreen for varied consolation controls.
The chief seats are positioned shut collectively, with the inside armrests having a deployable desk to additional drive house the “airplane” feeling. This additionally means there’s no passthrough to get to the third row, though devoted buttons on the perimeters of the seats make it straightforward to slip and tilt them ahead to ingress/egress.
In China, the 009 is on the market with two powertrains constructed on an 800V structure, each utilizing a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery that may DC quick cost from 10-80% state of cost in 28 minutes. Each even have a dual-motor setup rated at 544 PS (536 hp or 400 kW) and 686 Nm of torque – the 0-100 km/h time is 4.5 seconds.
The WE variant of the MPV is priced at 500,000 yuan (about RM324k) and gives as much as 702 km of vary following the extra lenient CLTC normal. The opposite choice is the ME at 588,000 yuan (RM382k) that gives as a lot as 822 km.
No matter variant, the 009 comes normal with entrance double-wishbone and rear multi-link suspension paired with air springs and CCD electromagnetic dampers for a easy and comfy experience – the Alphard/Vellfire makes use of metal springs and normal dampers.
With a beginning worth of round RM324k (in China), and given the present incentives that imported EVs presently get pleasure from in Malaysia, hopefully the 009 can retail from round RM350k when it goes on sale right here. For context, the Vellfire is priced from RM438k and the Alphard from RM538k in Malaysia, so the 009 does appear fairly tempting for all of the package supplied, and should you don’t thoughts making the swap to an EV way of life. What say you?
If the 009 is just not luxurious sufficient for you, Zeekr has you lined with the 009 Grand, a fair fancier model of the MPV that went on sale in China in April this yr. Designed to lure those that have been trying on the Lexus LM, the 009 Grand is a four-seater that sells for 789,000 yuan (RM512k) – that’s lower than half the RM1.228 million you’re paying for the LM right here.
Within the 009 Grand, the rear govt seats are redesigned with extra plush bolstering and is accompanied by seat controls on the partitions in addition to a central management pad for consolation capabilities. Forward of the rear passengers is a “wall” with a 43-inch show with mini LED tech, 4K decision and help for Dolby Imaginative and prescient.
A small window on the prime of the “wall” may be opened if you have to converse with the chauffer, and the “TV” sits on a base created from polished marble, with the fabric additionally. If the 009’s rear seats have been meant to be “enterprise class,” the 009 Grand takes issues a step additional to “top quality” by including extra storage cubbies and even an 18-litre fridge.
Along with being extra luxurious, the 009 Grand additionally has a extra highly effective dual-motor setup rated at 789 PS (778 hp or 580 kW) and 810 Nm. Battery capability is smaller than the common 009 at 108 kWh, however the vary is quoted to be similar to the WE variant at 702 km (CLTC). With extra grunt, the 009 Grand’s century dash time is the quickest at 3.9 seconds and the highest pace is 230 km/h.
Earlier than concluding right here’s an outline of the carmaker. Based in 2021, Zeekr is a part of the Geely Auto Group and its identify is made up of three elements. In response to the corporate, ‘ZE’ stands for zero, ‘E’ stands for “evolving the electrical period” and ‘KR’ stands for krypton, a uncommon gasoline that emits gentle when electrified.
In Might this yr, Zeekr filed its preliminary public providing (IPO) on the New York Inventory Change and managed to boost round USD441 milllion, making it the most important IPO by a China-based firm since 2021 when LianBio’s IPO was listed.
Zeekr presently has three R&D amenities in China (Ningbo, Hangzhou and Shanghai), together with one other in Europe known as Zeekr Expertise Europe (previously China Euro Automobile Expertise or CEVT). The corporate additionally has a world design centre in Gothenburg, Sweden, whereas its Zeekr Energy subsidiary gives charging options.
Given its affiliation with Geely, which has a number of different manufacturers beneath its umbrella, Zeekr has entry to assets to supply its fashions. Certainly one of them is Viridi Vitality Mobility Expertise (VREMT) that’s headquartered in Ningbo and based in 2013 as an affiliate of Geely.
VREMT specialises in R&D, manufacturing, gross sales and aftersales service of latest power automobile (NEV) batteries, electrical drive programs, charging programs and power storage programs. Along with Zeekr, the corporate additionally provides for Lynk & Co, Volvo and different Geely fashions.
Given what you’ve learn to this point, are you trying ahead to the Zeekr 009’s launch in Malaysia? Is that this the MPV that makes you assume twice about getting an Alphard/Vellfire? Tell us what your ideas within the feedback beneath.
GALLERY: Zeekr 009
GALLERY: Zeekr 009 Grand
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