Zeekr mulls 9X as Australian flagship

ZEEKR’S flagship SUV, the 9X, is expected to play a leading role in the brand’s global expansion strategy, with the hybrid-powered large luxury model under serious consideration for Australia in 2026 as a halo model.

The 9X will sit atop the range for the Geely-owned Chinese luxury brand Zeekr in its domestic market, where it is positioned to compete with the likes of the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS as well as emerging Chinese luxury options from Yangwang and others.

Locally, it is being evaluated as the fourth model for Zeekr’s growing Australian line-up to sit above the brand’s 009 premium minivan.

The hybrid SUV, which combines a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 205kW of power with front (290kW) and rear (370kW) electric motors can accelerate from 0-100km/h in a claimed three seconds on its way to a top speed of 240km/h.

A large CATL Freevoy lithium iron phosphate battery (of undisclosed size) is utilised for electric driving capability, delivering 380km of range on China’s lenient CLTC rating system, equating to around 300km WLTP. A 900-volt architecture affords a peak DC charge speed of 480kW.

The claimed electric driving range is sufficient to make the 9X the longest-range hybrid SUV in the world, Zeekr says. The SUV is also the first Chinese car to utilise a 48-volt active stabiliser while dual-valve air suspension is fitted as standard.

Zeekr launched in Australia earlier this year with two all-electric models: the compact Zeekr X SUV, priced from $49,900 (plus on-road costs), and the aforementioned 009, priced from $135,900 (+ ORC). A third model, the 7X midsize SUV, is due to follow by the end of 2025.

If approved for the Australian market, the Zeekr 9X would become the most expensive model in the brand’s local portfolio.

Pricing is expected to exceed that of the 009 people mover, suggesting a possible starting figure above $150,000 plus on-road costs.

Such a price would make the 9X more affordable than the Mercedes-Benz GLS (from $171,000 + ORC) and BMW X7 (from $171,300 + ORC), while the slightly shorter Audi Q7 remains something of a value buy in the segment, from $108,815 (+ ORC).

Attention now turns to the 9X as Zeekr weighs its next move.

While a final decision on an Australian release is yet to be confirmed, head of Zeekr International Mars Chen (who has responsibility for Australia) has indicated that the flagship SUV is a leading candidate for local release, though it is one of two potential additions under review.

“The 009 (minivan) is the big brother in the family,” Mr Chen told GoAuto.

“Maybe the 9X will be the big sister.”

However, he noted that the Australian market is unlikely to receive both large models while volume remains limited.

“Not both, I have to be practical,” he said.

The 9X’s hybrid system, dubbed Super Electric Hybrid, is believed to be an advanced iteration of the Leishen EM-I plug-in hybrid architecture developed by parent company Geely.

Zeekr has beefed up the Leishen EM-I system with a larger 2.0-litre engine (with 46 per cent thermal efficiency) in combination with the two electric motors, a silicon carbide power module, and an integrated suite of vehicle control, transmission, and power distribution units.

Visually, the 9X is expected to leave a strong impression. Measuring 5290mm in length, the large SUV draws on design elements first seen in the Zeekr 009, while also echoing the upright, opulent proportions of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

The resemblance has not gone unnoticed, with some Chinese observers dubbing it the ‘Hangzhou Bay Cullinan’. That comparison appears to be embraced by Zeekr design chief Stefan Sielaff, who told media, “the 9X is the better Cullinan”.

“Don’t get me wrong, I am not arrogant. I have to be humble. The 9X is only the first member of a new family of luxury cars we are going to show in future. I think it is very, very good,” he said.

Technologically, the Zeekr 9X will incorporate the latest Nvidia Thor autonomous driving chipset, which supports enhanced driver assistance capability via a five-lidar array—consisting of one long-range and four short-range sensors.

Zeekr claims this allows for four overlapping layers of 360-degree environmental perception.