It was clear that it deserved to hit the production line, and it did so in quite a surprising way. When I found out that I would have the opportunity to ride it at the ZEEKR While that halves my time with the electric SUV, it seemed worth telling my readers how the Zero Concept drives, even though we're calling it the ZEEKR 001 now.
These battery-electric vehicles ( BEVs ) did not reach production by chance. We could say that it was his winning style that made Geely create a new brand to turn it into something palpable. This is what makes fast turning on this vehicle even more relevant. I was hoping 001 would teach me what made Geely make the move, rather than just calling it Lynk & Co. It would be much easier that way. However, ZEEKR is among us, thanks to this extended hatchback that the brand calls a shooting brake. This is perhaps the most controversial aspect of this vehicle: its body classification.
Design Evaluation
What do you think is a Porsche Panamera? Hatchbacks? Shooting brake? Fastback? A liftback? Some even call it a sedan, like the Porsche Beachwood. The ZEEKR 001 resembles its German competitor and competes in the same market segment with fairly similar dimensions.
The Panamera is 5.05 meters (198.8 in) long, 1.94 m (76.3 in) wide, 1.42 m (56.0 in) high, and has a wheelbase of 2.95 m (116.1 in). inch). The 001 is 4.96 m (195.3 in) long, 2 m (78.7 in) wide, 1.56 m (61.4 in) high, and has a 3 m (118.1 in) wheelbase. Surprisingly, the 100 kWh battery pack doesn't make it any heavier than the Porsche – especially considering its heavier derivatives. While the German competitor weighs between 1,815 kilograms (4,001 pounds) to 2,310 kg (5,093 pounds), the ZEEKR goes from 2,200 kg (4,850 pounds) to 2,350 kg (5,181 pounds).
Whatever you decide to classify the 001, its distinctive daytime running lights (DRL) can still be seen on Lynk & Co. products. Even the Lynk & Co badge was recycled for the new brand. That might sound like 001 has no personality, but that's very unfair. Very few people ignored the car when it was parked in front of the hotel where ZEEKR was presenting X. It also caught the attention of a few people on the street where I drove it.
As a brand that still needs to be recognized, ZEEKR made sure to put its name on several areas of the 001's body: the door sills, the rear side lights, the labels on the rear seat armrests, and the rear light grilles are some examples. The logo doesn't help: it looks like it's still used by Lynk & Co. Geely needs to quickly separate the markets they sell each brand to or give ZEEKR a unique brand identity.
Interior Assessment
Approach 001 with the electronic key in your pocket. The rearview mirror will open, and the door handle will pop out. This gives access to an interior that looks much better than in the X. This has nothing to do with materials or construction treatments – which are very similar in both cars – but rather with what the interior offers. The 001's cabin feels more elaborate, with things like a precise gear selector rather than everything concentrated on a lever behind the wheel.
Another similarity between the two cars is the Easter Egg at the base of the windshield. In ZEEKR
At times, ZEEKR seems to be trying too hard to be fancy. One example is interior door handles. They have a metallic finish that looks like anodized aluminum or copper. The same material is present throughout the cabin, including on the edges of the recesses behind the front seats. This is a bit of an exaggeration.
The wide wheelbase provides ample legroom for all passengers. Only very tall people might not have headroom, but people up to 6'1" (1.85 meters) won't complain about that. The 001 is a very comfortable machine whether to drive or just to carry around. Leave the car with the electronic key and walk a few steps. The door handle will retract, and the side mirrors will fold. But we have to turn it before that happens.
Driving Take
ZEEKR makes the 001 in three versions: Long Range RWD, Performance AWD, and Privilege AWD. They all have permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM), so the cars can't slide. Its single-ratio epicyclic transmission does not separate the motor from the wheels, allowing it to rotate without resistance. As I discussed some time ago, this can also make BEVs more susceptible to aquaplaning because the wheels will always be decelerating. This has to do with permanent magnetic fields. Every time the PMSMs spin freely, they generate electricity. In other words, you will always experience some level of regenerative braking.
The main difference between the 001 and Maybe the weight makes it less visible. The bottom line is that the 001 seemed to move easily, at least in the AWD Privilege I drove. Compared to the 315 kW (422 hp) offered by the X AWD, the 001 AWD produces 400 kW (536 hp). The Long Range RWD derivative relies on 200 kW (268 hp) regardless of vehicle.
Both ZEEKRs have head-up displays, but the one on the X is much better. This is perhaps the only advantage that the electric SUV has over its big brother. Although the information reflected on the 001's windshield is small, the X driver has larger letters and more resources, such as animated alerts for the navigation system.
The hatchback's suspension coped well with some of the uneven surfaces I encountered while driving it. At high speeds, it also looks very composed. Overall, the best word to describe this car's handling is "solid," but it would be wise to emphasize that impression. More time with it in familiar surroundings would allow me to write a more in-depth review, but here's what might happen under test drive conditions.
Everyday life
Just as I wrote about the ZEEKR In any case, my brief contact with the company's first BEV allowed me to reach some conclusions.
The ZEEKR 001 is not just a long car. It's also very spacious. Using it on the motorway is easy enough, but things get more complicated on local roads, especially narrow ones where you'd think only one car could pass. Driving it to a supermarket or shopping center with scarce parking will certainly be a challenge.
001's natural environment is a road trip. The large trunk with a capacity of 539 liters (19 cubic feet) can carry the family's luggage without worry. The trunk is rather small and can only carry smaller items. In places where crime rates are high, this would be an ideal place to protect valuable cargo. Like the ZEEKR X, the 12V battery and brake fluid reservoir are hidden under a plastic cover. The washer fluid reservoir is also not visible but visible under another cover. The problem is that the 001 can't charge quickly.
While the Porsche Taycan uses 800V architecture and has a charging speed of 225 kW, the ZEEKR flagship can draw 200 kW of power with its 400V system. That allows it to charge from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes. The Taycan did it in 21 minutes with a 93.4 kWh battery. As I mentioned, the 001 has a gross capacity of 100 kWh on the high-voltage accumulator. Depending on the version, ZEEKR can run from 580 km (360 miles) to 620 km (385 miles) under the WLTP cycle. The Taycan's best WLTP range is 505 km (314 miles). It would be interesting to check out the 001 with a Qilin battery, which promises a range of over 1,000 km (621 miles). It may take longer to charge, but it will also cover longer distances.
Trial Summary
ZEEKR 001 will be a vehicle for people who want to stand out from the crowd – at least initially. It attracts a lot of attention and looks great in any parking lot. Long Range RWD starts at €59,490, while the most affordable Performance AWD retails for €62,490. Privilege AWD is the most expensive version of the car, starting at €67,490.
Since I'm comparing the ZEEKR with the Panamera, you should know that Porsche charges €98,022 for the most affordable one in Germany. The Taycan is slightly cheaper: €93,139, but it's a much smaller vehicle than the 001. This makes this Geely look like a bargain for those looking to buy a battery-powered E-segment car.
