The automotive trade has known as each compact and aspirational premium electrical crossover a “Mannequin Y fighter” for the previous 5 years. Many manufacturers have tried to problem Tesla, and a few have even had modest success. However it’s not that simple to dethrone the best-selling automobile on the earth. That’s not going to cease loads of manufacturers from attempting once more, although. This time it is Zeekr coming at Tesla with a not-officially-named crossover nonetheless referred to by its codename, the CX1E. Given Zeekr’s success over the previous yr, this crossover may very well be the mannequin that might put the screws to the Mannequin Y in sure markets.
U.S. and European Union Implement Chinese language Automotive Tariffs
The U.S. isn’t the one place implementing tariffs on Chinese language-made EVs. Though not as excessive as the united statess 100% tariff, the EU has positioned a 19.9% tariff on Geely fashions made in China and shipped to Europe. That goes on prime of the EU’s commonplace 10% tariff on imported vehicles.
The CX1E is a part of the model’s push to introduce seven fashions by 2026. Some are prone to keep China-only exclusives just like the minivan-shaped Zeekr Combine. However, others will enterprise outdoors of China and do battle within the markets the place Zeekr is increasing, like Mexico, South Korea and a rising variety of international locations in Western Europe.
From what we are able to see, the CX1E appears to be like like an SUV model of the Zeekr 007 sedan I not too long ago reviewed. The 2 have a equally formed lightbar on the entrance. On the rear, the taillight bar is equally skinny, with two brake and reverse lights built-in close to the underside of the bumper cowl. Similar to the 007, the rear door shut line terminates with the sting of the rear wheel opening. There’s even what appears to be like to be a LiDAR sensor simply above the highest of the windshield, identical to the higher-trimmed variations of the Zeekr 007.
5 Pictures
Zeekr
Thus, we are able to logically assume that this CX1E will use the identical SEA (Sustainable Expertise Structure) because the Zeekr 007. This might imply it’ll additionally get {a partially} megacast chassis and effectively over 600 horsepower. It additionally signifies that the CX1E would have the identical 800-volt-class structure, too. Within the 007, this 800-volt structure permits a peak DC fast-charging price of 500 kW. If the CX1E comes with the identical 75 kWh battery, it might zip from 10-80% in about twelve minutes. That’s a fairly large improve over the Tesla Mannequin Y, which takes over half-hour to go from 10-80%.
Now, sadly for Zeekr’s sake, issues have gotten fairly hostile towards Chinese language manufacturers within the U.S. and Europe. The possibilities of the CX1E or any Zeekr product coming into the U.S. aren’t as excessive as they had been, say, six months in the past. However, as a result of Zeekr is a Geely model, and is accountable for lots of its automobile growth, there’s a really actual likelihood that we’ll see the center of the CX1E in a future Volvo or Polestar. If it’s sized proper, worth effectively and made in a rustic that received’t be topic to a profitability-ruining tariff, a Volvo-ized Zeekr CX1E might make a stellar XC60 substitute.
A Zeekr consultant stated that the official launch identify and specs might be launched at a later date.
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