The Volvo EX30 is about to get some in-house competition as the small electric SUV segment continues to heat up in Australia.
Zeekr’s small X SUV has been approved for sale in Australia, ahead of first deliveries in late 2024 or early 2025.
The Geely-owned electric vehicle (EV) brand confirmed earlier this year it would introduce the X here, and some early examples were spotted in Sydney last month.
Australian Government documents now confirm the Zeekr X has been approved for sale in both rear- and all-wheel drive variants.
It’ll go up against its Volvo EX30 platform-mate and the popular BYD Atto 3 in the Australian small electric SUV market.
The X will likely be Zeekr’s second model to make its way Down Under, following the planned debut of the 009 electric people mover sometime in the second half of this year.
The Zeekr X is based on the same Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) as a raft of models under the Geely umbrella, including not only the Volvo EX30 but also Smart’s #01 and #03 crossovers that are due here this year.
Full Australian specifications for the X have not yet been revealed, though approval documents detail a RWD version with a single motor producing 200kW.
Models fitted with that powertrain have a tare mass of 1855kg, and a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 2410kg.
AWD models are also fitted with a 200kW rear motor but add a 115kW front motor, making for a total power output of 315kW. They have a tare mass of 1960kg and a GVM of 2510kg.
Both models have a braked towing capacity of 1600kg. The X is also nearly identical in size to the BYD Atto 3 at 4432mm long, 1836mm wide, and 1572mm tall, riding a 2750mm wheelbase and offering 190mm of ground clearance.
European Zeekr X examples are offered with a choice of 200kW/343Nm single-motor rear-wheel drive or 315kW/543Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive configurations, with a claimed WLTP range of 446km and 425km respectively.
They draw power from a 69kWh lithium-ion battery, which can be charged at up to 150kW on a DC fast-charger.
Inside the cabin, there’s an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a 24.3-inch augmented reality head-up display.
The Zeekr X is priced from €44,990 (A$73,680) in Germany, identical to the Tesla Model Y.
In Australia, the Model Y starts from $55,990 before on-road costs, while the Volvo EX30 opens at $59,990 before on-road costs and the Atto 3 starts at $44,499 before on-roads. It’s unclear where the Zeekr will be priced.
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