Zeekr 001 FR will debut on September 1 with 4 motors

So, you're tired of hearing about Tesla Plaid and looking for something a bit more exotic in the electric vehicle world? Well, Zeekr might just have the answer for you. This high-end electric brand, a subsidiary of Geely, is teasing its upcoming model, the Zeekr 001 FR. And let's just say, it's not shy about its ambitions.

First, a quick refresher. Zeekr was founded in 2021 and has already launched three models: the Zeekr 001, Zeekr 009 MPV, and Zeekr X SUV. With over 130,000 units delivered, they're not exactly the new kid on the block anymore. They've even started shipping the Zeekr 001 to Europe and have plans to launch in Israel and Kazakhstan. Oh, and they're gearing up for an IPO. Not bad at all for a brand that's barely two years old, although you may say that with parents like Geely, nothing is difficult.

Now, let's talk about the Zeekr 001 FR, which stands for "Future Road," in case you were wondering. Built on Geely's Sustainable Electric Architecture (SEA) platform, it shares its underpinnings with other Zeekr models and even some non-Zeekr vehicles like Volvo, Polestar, and especially - the Lotus Eletre. The SEA platform is quite versatile and can be adjusted to fit various models, making it a cornerstone of Geely's electric ambitions.

Design-wise, the 001 FR doesn't stray too far from its predecessor. It sports a shooting brake body shape, a sporty bumper, and a large trapeze-shaped air intake with a red stripe for that extra flair. And let's not forget the large spoiler at the back, because, you know, downforce matters. As for dimensions, it's safe to assume it won't be a radical departure from the “civilian” Zeekr 001, bar a few millimeters here and there due to more aggressive bumpers.

Now, here's where it gets juicy. Zeekr has been dropping hints that the 001 FR could feature not one, not two, but four independent electric motors. They even threw a little shade at Tesla by saying "Plaid is dull" on social media. If this turns out to be true, the 001 FR would be the first vehicle built on the SEA platform to feature four electric motors. And with that kind of setup, we could be looking at over 1,000 horsepower. But let's not get ahead of ourselves; after all, they did say "possibly."

So, mark your calendars for September 1, when all will be revealed. Will the Zeekr 001 FR live up to the hype, or will it be another case of "so much promise, so little delivery"? Either way, it's clear that the Zeekr team is not content with just sitting in Tesla's rearview mirror. They're gunning for the spotlight, and they're not afraid to ruffle a few feathers along the way.

Via