

Matthew Hansen
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It might have only been on the market in New Zealand for around eight months, but Zeekr’s most affordable SUV — the X — has already gained its first update, with local arrival slated for next month.
The premium electric crossover’s biggest gains as part of the update relate to its powertrain and battery hardware.
Under its sculpted skin, the Zeekr X gains an “optimised” 66kWh LFP battery pack with 230kW DC fast charging in rear-wheel drive variants, meaning a charge from 10–80% can take as little as 18 minutes (down from 30).

The all-paw flagship’s 150kW fast-charge speeds mean the same charge takes 30 minutes. AC charging capabilities have also improved across both flavours, with RWD and AWD models now supporting 11kW and 22kW charging, respectively. The two models have a WLTP-rated range of 405km (RWD) and 415km (AWD).
Alongside these battery tweaks, the new X gets more powerful motors all round. The RWD’s single-motor set-up produces 250kW of power, whilst the AWD with its additional 115kW front-mounted motor has a combined output of 365kW — seeing it complete the 0–100kph sprint in a claimed 3.7 seconds.
On top of these changes, updated Zeekr Xs also come with the brand’s ZEEKR AD driver assistance tech, which includes five high-definition cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and remote parking assist.


Despite a decent swathe of meaningful changes, Zeekr hasn’t done much to the X’s pricing. As previously, the X is offered in two trims — the $59,990 RWD and $69,990 AWD. Both are just $90 more than their predecessors.
There are a few optional extras. Any colour other than white is a $1000 extra, as are interior trim options other than the standard grey. The AWD’s option set, meanwhile, includes electric front doors that can be opened or closed with a button for $2000, an exclusive matte green paint for $2000, and a black interior and 20-inch wheel combo for $2000.

“The Zeekr X raises the bar for what customers can expect from a compact SUV, blending distinctive design, intelligent technology and exceptional practicality,” said Zeekr New Zealand brand manager Michael Jones.
“With enhanced performance, faster charging and more features included as standard, the new Zeekr X delivers a true premium EV experience without the premium price tag.”
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Matthew Hansen co-founded motorsport outlet Velocity News, worked as a freelance photographer for various race teams, and was a specialist journalist for NZ Autocar Magazine and Driven at the NZ Herald. Most recently, he was Editor of Motoring at Stuff.co.nz.


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