Right-hand drive is on the cards for the second generation of Zeekr's debut model, a large liftback that straddles the gap between sedan, wagon and SUV.
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The car that launched Chinese brand Zeekr – the large 001 liftback – could come to Australia in its second generation, due to be revealed in 12 to 18 months from now.
The Zeekr 001 has been off-limits for the expansion of the brand in Australia thus far, as it is only produced in left-hand drive, despite sharing its underpinnings with the Polestar 4 sold locally.
That may change for the next-generation model, due at the end of 2026 to replace the current 001 launched in China in 2021, Zeekr's head of high-performance models, Ray Chien, told Drive at the Australian launch of the 7X SUV.
"In China, we are selling an 001 FR and 007 performance model right now. These are specifically for the China market. And so far, we don't have these two models – even a basic 001 – [in] right-hand drive yet," Chien said.
"It depends on the company's strategy, are we going to do that right-hand drive or not? My guess is not for the current model, because the 001, we will have the new model coming up really soon.
"[The current model] is basically at the end of the product life cycle, the car came out in 2021; so I think at the end of next year, we will have the brand-new 001."
"... Maybe next, if we have the brand-new model come out, I think we will try to bring it over here [Australia]."
Zeekr has rolled out frequent updates to freshen the 001, which began life as a 2020 concept for parent company Geely's Lynk and Co electric-vehicle brand.
Early 2023 saw new colours and the addition of a 140kWh battery pack option for a driving range rating of 1032km in Chinese CLTC testing.
A more comprehensive facelift launched in 2024, with restyled bumpers, larger interior screens, a new steering wheel, and a move to an 800-volt electrical architecture to boost charging speeds and unlock a power output of 580kW in the flagship grade, up from 400kW.
Six months later – in late 2024 – Zeekr added more advanced semi-autonomous driving hardware, prompting backlash from customers who purchased the previous update, Car News China reports.
In recent weeks, Zeekr has rolled out yet another update for 2026 that introduces a 900-volt electrical architecture for even-quicker charging – now capable of 10 to 80 per cent battery charge in seven minutes – and a power output of up to 680kW.
Along the way, Zeekr has introduced a quad-motor performance flagship known as the FR, with 930kW and a claimed zero to 100km/h acceleration time of 2.36 seconds.
Car News China reports that a new 001 FR may be in development with as much as 2000 horsepower (1471kW).
"This last revision of the 001 in China, we've put a 900-volt system in the car, so the charging time is much faster, and will give the car more horsepower," said Chien.
"Also, the same as the 007 and [7X] in China."
Zeekr clocked up more than 2500 pre-orders for the 7X in Australia before the first deliveries earlier this month, but it slots into one of the country's top-selling market segments, mid-size SUVs.
In contrast, the Zeekr 001 straddles the gap between a liftback sedan, wagon, and a lower-slung SUV, akin to a Polestar 4, so it is unlikely to find as much success.
An example of the Zeekr 001 FR has been shipped to Australia for public previews and demonstrations.
It is expected Zeekr will follow the 7X with a mid-size-to-large plug-in hybrid SUV – likely the upcoming 8X, based on a vehicle from its Lynk and Co brand – alongside business case studies into the 007 GT electric wagon.
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Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
