Luxury EV brand Zeekr set to be launched in Malaysia

ZEEKR, the luxury electric vehicle (EV) brand under the Geely Group, has reportedly signed a cooperation agreement with Sentinel Automotive Sdn. Bhd. for the distribution of its EVs in Malaysia.

According to CarNewsChina (CNC), the agreement was signed on June 8. Zeekr also signed a similar agreement with a company from Indonesia, PT Premium Auto Prima.

The automotive portal from China also reported that the brand will open its first store in Kuala Lumpur, with other stores in Selangor and Penang expected to commence construction later this year.

The first models to be introduced to Malaysia and Indonesia will be the X and 009. Previously, CNC reported that the first right-hand drive versions of the X have rolled off the the production line in China with overseas deliveries expected to begin in the third quarter of this year.

The X is a compact all-electric SUV built on the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform, which also underpins other Zeekr models.

Based on technical data obtained from Zeekr’s website, the X measures 4,432 mm in length, 1,836 mm in width, 1,566 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,750 mm.

It is available in RWD and AWD versions. The former features a single electric motor at the rear axle generating 272 hp and 343 Nm, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds.

Meanwhile, the AWD version with a twin-motor setup delivers 428 hp and 543 Nm. It can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 180 km/h, the same as the RWD model.

Both versions are equipped with a 69 kWh battery, providing a WLTP range of 440 km for the RWD and 400 km for the AWD.

On the other hand, the 009 is a luxury MPV measuring 5,209 mm in length, 2,024 mm in width and 1,848 mm in height. The people mover has a rather sizeable wheelbase of 3,205 mm.

The 009 is powered by two electric motors generating a total power of 544 PS, allowing it to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds.

As for the battery, the 009 is said to be the first vehicle in the world equipped with a 140 kWh CATL battery, which promises a driving range of up to 822 km based on the CLTC cycle.