Zeekr, one of Chinese automotive giant Geely’s many brands, has previewed a hot electric car with one rival dead in its sights: the Tesla Model S Plaid.
The Zeekr 001 FR takes the regular 001, a sleek fastback the size of a Tesla Model S, and adds various aggressive design elements.
The company hasn’t confirmed any technical details for the new performance model, though Chinese media reports it will feature forged wheels and carbon-ceramic brake discs.
In a post on social media, Zeekr says, “Plaid is dull. The Zeekr 001 FR is a new type of beast.”
It’s pulling the whiskers of one powerful beast with that boast, as the Model S Plaid has 760kW of peak power and a 0-60mph (0-96km/h) time of just 1.99 seconds, excluding rollout.
The regular 001 is offered in either single-motor rear-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive configurations, and in its most powerful guise pumps out 400kW of power and 686Nm of torque.
That’s good enough for it to do the 0-100km/h dash in 3.8 seconds.
Depending on the variant, the 001 offers a choice of 86kWh and 100kWh batteries and range on the more generous CLTC cycle of between 546km and 741km.
Up-spec models also have what Zeekr calls its high-performance air suspension package.
The 001 FR builds on the regular 001 visually with an aggressively styled new front spoiler and air intakes, while down back there’s a prominent rear wing and a racy diffuser. All these parts feature red accents.
Zeekr is a brand with global aspirations, having recently entered the European market with the 001.
It’s only a young brand, having been founded in 2021. The 001 was initially previewed as a Lynk & Co concept before debuting as the first Zeekr-badged vehicle.
Unlike Lynk & Co, which offers more affordable petrol and hybrid models, Zeekr is an EV-only brand.
In addition to the 001, it also offers the small X SUV – also confirmed for Europe – and the 009 people mover.
