Zeekr is well and truly on the map after a slow start in Australia, largely thanks to its award-winning 7X , and the premium arm of Geely is no doubt hoping to double down on that success with its next product, the 8X.
The 8X is an upper mid-sized luxury SUV that leans more into the grandiose styling of the 009 people mover than the futuristic and sleek 7X.
With lofty ambitions and impressive specs, expect the Zeekr 8X to take aim at five-seat SUV rivals like the Range Rover Sport, Audi Q8, and Lexus RX, but perhaps not at the same lofty price points.
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With Zeekr keen to capitalise on the success of the 7X, does the 8X deserve the same hype? Take a look at what we know so far.
How big is the Zeekr 8X and what will it compete with?
The Zeekr 8X is a large five-seat SUV. It measures 5100mm long, 1998mm wide and 1780mm tall. This makes it slightly larger than a Range Rover Sport, Lexus RX, or Audi Q8, and firmly in the large SUV category with five seats.
In Zeekr's range it will sit above the mid-size fully electric 7X, but below the flagship three-row 9X. It forms part of a larger trend of big luxury SUVs launching from Chinese brands. Other options in this space include the Denza B5 and Jaecoo J8, but expect to see more before long.
The 8X will move Zeekr into hybrid territory
So far, Zeekr's offerings in Australia have been purely electric, including the X small SUV, 009 people mover and the 7X mid-sizer.
The 8X is unique in the range thanks to its headline-grabbing plug-in hybrid set-up.
Pairing a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine (205kW/410Nm) to dual electric motors on each axle, Zeekr claims the standard versions of the 8X produce a combined 660kW/935Nm and can sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds, making it faster and more powerful than the equivalent PHEV versions of the Range Rover Sport and Audi Q8.
That's not to mention the tri-motor flagship performance version, which produces a combined 1030kW/1410Nm thanks to double the output on the rear axle, allowing an even lower 0-100km/h sprint time of just three seconds.
In addition, the 8X is equipped with either a 55kWh or 70kWh battery pack with a 900-volt architecture allowing ultra-fast charging and either a 320km or 410km EV driving range respectively (according to China's lenient CLTC testing procedure).
Expect a pricey SUV, but it will still represent solid value compared to rivals
We don't know which variants of the 8X will land in Australia at this stage, nor do we know how much the large SUV will cost. We can speculate, however, based on information we know.
Expect it to start north of the 7X, which currently ranges from $57,900 before on-road costs for the most affordable base variant, to $72,900 for the top-spec Performance grade.
It could be significantly more expensive, too. For reference, the Chinese-market 8X starts from the equivalent of A$77,420, stretching to the equivalent of A$106,183, suggesting starting prices locally north of $90,000 for an entry-level 55kWh dual-motor version.
This would well and truly move Zeekr into premium pricing territory, but even then, with at least double the electric driving range and double the power of its most direct rivals from Europe and Japan, there's an argument for value.
The new styling comes with new features
The 8X moves Zeekr's interior design up a notch, with a plush leather-clad interior covered in digital tech.
The digital instrument cluster measures 13.02-inches, while there are dual screens spanning the centre and passenger side of the dash for the multimedia functions.
It features a 44-inch holographic head-up display for the driver, and an 8.0-inch screen on the centre console for adjustment of rear climate features and seat controls. Some variants are also equipped with a roof-mounted 17-inch rear entertainment screen.
Wheels are enormous, measuring from 20- to 22-inches, and the rear seats have electronic adjustment with footrests on the outboard positions. It also has a 9.5-litre drawer, which can either be a heating compartment or refrigerator, with a range between -6 degrees and 50 degrees.
It is due in Australia during 2027 and is expected to be the brand's next big volume seller
Speaking to CarsGuide recently, the brand's local Managing Director Frank Li said the 8X would be one of a slew of new models headed to our market in 2027, which is also set to include the Euro-flavoured 7GT electric station wagon and 9X flagship three-row SUV.
He said the local division hadn't received confirmation on when each of these new cars will arrive and in what order, but brands like Zeekr are quick to move on right-hand drive production once the Australian arm locks in its business case.
Plus, Australia has been earmarked as an important stepping stone for Zeekr's global ambitions.
At any rate, we expect to learn more imminently, as the brand is expected to make more announcements around the Beijing Motor Show at the end of April.