The last brand in the Geely electric vehicle family yet to hit has two models set to go.

DETAIL about the probable first product from yet another Chinese electric vehicle maker eyeing up New Zealand has become public.

While there has been no formal announcement of Zeekr’s intentions, speculation this marque specialising in high-end product will join other Geely brands like Polestar, Volvo and Lotus, which are handled locally by the Giltrap Group, is strong. 

The latest development that seems to cement Zeekr’s entry has just occurred. Yesterday Geely Auto appointed Giltrap Group as the country’s official distributor for Geely Auto, this being inked at a signing ceremony in Sydney at which Geely Auto Australia chief executive Li Lei said “New Zealand is crucial to our global expansion, and we are excited to strengthen our presence and partnerships here.”

Fuelling speculation about Zeekr is that trial examples of a compact electric SUV known as the Zeekr X (top) have been registered here and driven in public. That model and a large people mover, the Zeekr 009 (directly above), have been signed off for sale in Australia, this starting early next year.

Zeekr also has two other models that conceivably could also enter the fray; the 001 shooting brake and the 007 sedan. 

The X closely relates to the Volvo EX30, but has a longer platform, that hit NZ earlier this year and is almost certain to be the car that will lead Seeker’s entry here.

As NZ is commonly bundled with Australia for right-hand-drive choice, it’s now clear how that model will provision, as our neighbour’s line-up has been finalised.

The choice there zeroes in on two five-seat variants, built around rear-wheel-drive and an all-wheel-drive.

The Zeekr X RWD is priced from the equivalent of $NZ63,000 while the AWD model starts at just under $NZ72k.

Both share the same 66kWh lithium-ion (NCM) battery pack, but differ in power outputs and range.

The rear-drive version offers 200kW of power and 343Nm of torque from its single rear-mounted electric motor, claiming a 0-100kmh time of 5.6 seconds. The dual-motor setup increases outputs to 315kW and 543Nm, and drops the 0-100kmh sprint time to 3.8s.

Zeekr claims a driving range of 540km for the RWD model and 470km for the AWD, but that’s based on the NEDC formula that, while still applicable in Australia, is outdated here. NZ has stepped up the WLTP testing standard, which lists the RWD model at 446km and the AWD at 425km.

Both variants use a 400V electrical system and support DC fast charging, achieving a 10-80 percent charge in around 30 minutes with 150kW DC power.

Home charging of course takes longer, with the RWD needing up to 11.5 hours on a 7kW home charger, while the AWD can recharge fully in 7.5 hours using a three-phase 11kW setup.

Though Zeekr X can provision in a more lifestyle-oriented four-seat option some places, our neighbour has chosen to take just the five-seater layout. Cargo capacity is 362 litres with the rear seats up, expanding to 1182 litres when folded.

Standard features for the Zeekr X RWD include a panoramic glass roof, a six-way powered driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, rear air vents in the B pillars, rain-sensing wipers, a frameless auto-dimming rear-view mirror, plus heated, power-folding exterior mirrors.

Infotainment is through a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and an 8.8-inch driver display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with over-the-air updates through 5G and WiFi hotspot connectivity.

The AWD variant enhances to a 24.3-inch augmented reality head-up display, a Yamaha 13-speaker audio system, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and an ‘Intelligent B Pillar Display’ that enables entry via facial recognition or a PIN code.

Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist are standard. Likewise traffic sign recognition, tyre pressure monitoring, 360-degree visual park assist, low-speed pedestrian warning sound and rear collision warning. IT has seven airbags, one being a front centre device, plus ISOFIX anchors and top tether points for child seats.

The RWD model also offers Australians an optional Convenience Pack, selling for the equivalent of $NZ4400, adding many of the AWD’s features except for the AR head-up display and Intelligent B Pillar Display.

Wheel options include 19-inch alloys with 235/50 R19 tyres for the RWD, and 20-inch alloys with 245/45 R20 tyres for the AWD.

Both models come with vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, providing power outlets for external devices inside and outside the vehicle.

For Australia, the car comes with a five-year and unlimited-kilometre warranty, with a reduced three-year / 120,000km warranty for commercial users.

The battery pack is covered for eight years / 160,000km, whichever comes first. Zeekr includes five years of roadside assistance and connected services.

There might be more local caution toward the Zeekr 9, as it heads into the same luxury multi-seat EV sector that has proven to be extremely niche and hard to crack. Seeker’s model is not too dissimilar to another same-concept model from China, LDV’s Mifa 9, that didn’t last long here.

Conceivably, too, this $NZ135,000 and upward type would go against the Kia EV9 that is also already here, and doing it hard - to point it has been heavily discounted to move stock - and Hyundai’s equivalent, the Ioniq 9 that was to be internationally unveiled today and has already been promised to NZ.

Zeekr 9 purely provisions as an all-wheel-drive type, its dual electric motors delivering 450kW and 693Nm of torque and feeding from a 116kWh lithium ion (NCM) battery providing a driving range of up to 582km on the WLTP test cycle.

In Australia it offers a six-seat (two-plus-two-plus two) and a seven-seat (two-two-three) layout. Standard features include Nappa leather and Ultrasuede trim, with heating, ventilation, and massage functions for the first and second-row seats.

Cargo capacity varies from 574 litres up to 2979 litres when the rear seats are folded flat. There’s also a 29-litre front compartment for smaller items.

Luxury involvements include a 15.05-inch OLED main screen, while rear occupants are treated to a 17-inch 3K OLED entertainment display. The driver’s display is a 10.25-inch Full HD instrument cluster, complemented by a 35.95-inch augmented reality (AR) head-up display.

The audio system boasts 30 Yamaha speakers delivering 3000 watts of output. Connectivity options include wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 5G/WiFi hotspot. It supports over-the-air software updates.

If Zeekr signs up for NZ, what about Geely’s one other EV make, Lynk and Co, which has produced cars based off Volvo models?

That one seems to have been resolved, too. This week Geely set in motion a plan by which Zeekr will subsume its sister brand to form a new energy vehicle manufacturing group with combined annual sales of more than a million vehicles.

The makes have had some overlap and this new arrangement will allow Geely to eliminate internal competition. The determination now is that Zeekr will take a 51 percent stake Lynk and Co and get access to its dealer network and Zeekr will act as Geely’s research, development and innovation leader, sharing its technology with the group’s 12 brands.

Meantime, yesreday’s announcement also promised that a Geely-branded electric sports utility, the EX5, will release locally around June, 2025.