With Impressive Product Strength and Optimistic Early Sales (Over 40,000 Pre-orders in 1 Hour), Does This Mean ZEEKR 9X Has Truly “Made It”?
Shortly before the National Day holiday, ZEEKR officially announced the launch price of its most significant model of the year, the ZEEKR 9X.
The new vehicle is available in four variants. Among them, the three variants previously revealed during the pre-sale phase have the following official launch prices:
- Max Version: RMB 465,900 ($65,435)
- Ultra Version: RMB 485,900 ($68,244)
- Hyper Version: RMB 559,900 ($78,638)
Beyond these three variants, ZEEKR also released a custom “Obsidian Black Edition” of the 9X, priced at RMB 599,900 ($84,256). This edition boasts higher specifications than the Hyper Version, primarily by making some previously optional features standard equipment.
ZEEKR further offers an official trade-in subsidy of RMB 10,000 ($1,405) for the 9X. With this subsidy, the starting price drops to RMB 455,900 ($64,031).
Deliveries of the Max and Ultra versions will start soon, while the Hyper version is scheduled for delivery in late November. Policies such as the purchase tax difference subsidy and waiting-list points red envelopes are also fully available.
Based on the “Haohan-S” architecture, the ZEEKR 9X is the brand’s first product equipped with the “Super E-Mix” powertrain system. In terms of power, intelligence, and three-core (battery, motor, electronic control) technologies, it can be regarded as the “masterpiece” of the ZEEKR brand.
A series of core capabilities of the 9X were already announced at previous technology conferences and pre-sale events; this launch conference focused on detailed explanations of specific features.
With impressive product strength and optimistic early sales performance (over 40,000 initial orders received within one hour of pre-sales), does this mean the ZEEKR 9X has truly “succeeded”?
While “celebrating prematurely” certainly carries risks, the arrival of the ZEEKR 9X may indeed mark a “turning point” for the ZEEKR brand.
Why is that? The following sections will elaborate.
Flagship Capabilities
The ZEEKR 9X boasts numerous product highlights, and among the most prominent is undoubtedly its “Super E-Mix” powertrain system.
By equipping a battery pack with a maximum capacity of 70kWh, the ZEEKR 9X can deliver an all-electric range (AER) of up to 380km, with a combined range (electric + fuel) reaching a maximum of 1,250km. It not only provides a certain level of all-electric driving experience but also balances long-range needs, thus eliminating “range anxiety.”
However, specifically, the entry-level Max Version of the ZEEKR 9X is only equipped with a 55kWh battery pack, reducing its all-electric range to 300km. Fortunately, this battery pack still offers a 6C fast-charging experience.
The mid-tier Ultra Version also comes standard with a 55kWh 6C battery pack, but customers can opt for a 70kWh battery pack to enhance both all-electric and combined range.
Additionally, like the Max Version, the Ultra Version is standard with the “Qianli Haohan H7” advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), identifiable by its single roof-mounted LiDAR.
If users of the Ultra Version wish to experience the “Qianli Haohan H9” intelligent driving capabilities, they can obtain this feature through an optional upgrade—an option not available for the Max Version. Furthermore, in terms of other technological configurations, the Ultra Version adds features such as “dual 1-megapixel intelligent projection headlights” and “smart sensor-enabled power doors,” achieving a remarkably high level of overall luxury and technological sophistication.
The Hyper Version represents the traditional “high-end configuration” tier. Both the 70kWh battery pack and the “Qianli Haohan H9” system come as standard. In terms of hardware, the Hyper Version of the ZEEKR 9X is also pre-equipped with two Thor-U chips (compared to one in the Max and Ultra versions) and features a “5-LiDAR” setup. According to ZEEKR, this is “preparation for L3 autonomous driving.”
Moreover, capabilities such as “48V active anti-roll bars” and “tri-motor all-wheel drive” are also available on the Hyper Version of the ZEEKR 9X. As for configurations like the 900V high-voltage architecture, dual-chamber air suspension, and CCD electromagnetic dampers, they come as standard across the entire lineup. In other words, even the “entry-level model” of the ZEEKR 9X is equipped with impressive specifications.
As mentioned earlier, the “Obsidian Black Edition” is a “fully-loaded” variant—meaning all features that require optional upgrades on the Hyper Version become standard equipment. It delivers the best overall experience, features a unique design, and fully satisfies “emotional needs.”
Finally, let’s briefly cover the basic specifications of the ZEEKR 9X:
- Dimensions: 523920291819mm, with a wheelbase of 3169mm
- Entire lineup equipped with a 2.0T super E-Mix dedicated engine
- Dual-motor version: combined system power of 660kW, 0-100km/h acceleration in 3.9 seconds
- Tri-motor version: combined system power of 1030kW, 0-100km/h acceleration in 3.1 seconds
The cockpit is powered by dual 8295 chips, featuring a 47-inch AR-HUD, a 16-inch 3.5K OLED central control screen + front passenger screen. The second row comes standard with dual zero-gravity seats, electric privacy sunshades for the second-row side windows, and a 9-liter in-car refrigerator.
However, three highly important configurations—the Naim audio system, 17-inch OLED second-row sliding screen, and electric side steps—require optional upgrades for the Max, Ultra, and Hyper models. Notably, the optional price of the Naim audio system is as high as RMB 60,000 ($8,427). The good news is that during the initial launch period, these three configurations are offered free of charge.
Briefly regarding progress in intelligent ADAS: The H7 system will be available for use in the current phase, while the advanced features of the H9 system will be rolled out as soon as relevant laws and regulations permit.
In addition, when conditions are ripe, ZEEKR will also launch two major functions—”valet parking” and “one-click summon”—to bring the vehicle’s intelligence level more in line with its “flagship” positioning.
Well-Prepared for the Market
Shortly after the launch, ZEEKR officially announced exciting news: it received 10,000 firm orders within just 13 minutes.
Yang Xueliang from Geely also revealed on Weibo that the claim of “over 80,000 initial pre-orders” is credible, which indirectly confirms the ZEEKR 9X’s initial success.
Regarding this sales performance, Lin Jie, Senior Vice President of Geely Automobile Group and Vice President of ZEEKR Technology, believes that the support of existing users has played a crucial role.
“Based on pre-order data, approximately 20% of customers are existing ZEEKR users who previously owned models like the 001 and 009. ‘ZEEKR fans’ still have a strong affection for the brand,” he said.
Furthermore, the ZEEKR 9X seems to have successfully attracted some users who previously owned luxury brands. Lin Jie provided “evidence” for this: after the 9X display vehicles were deployed in stores, “many luxury-brand cars were parked outside.”
Recent reports also show that many celebrities, such as Sun Honglei and Han Hong, have become prospective owners of the ZEEKR 9X. Perhaps the “luxury charm” of this vehicle has indeed resonated with some high-end users.
Lin Jie also stated that the current sales performance has somewhat exceeded expectations, and the originally planned production capacity now appears relatively conservative. As for why the Hyper Version will only be delivered in late November, aside from supply chain factors, the main reason is that the H9 ADAS system still requires time to complete regulatory approval.
Later, Gan Jiayue revealed to Electric Planet that based on current orders, users opting for the Hyper Version account for over 60%. This clearly indicates that the H9 intelligent driving capabilities are highly favored by high-end user groups.
Naturally, this is a result that ZEEKR, and even the entire Geely Group, are pleased to see. Gan Jiayue, also known as “Agan,” further noted that under the “One Geely” strategic framework, ZEEKR’s positioning is very clear: it is the “vanguard of intelligence” and a leader in this field.
In a sense, consumers’ acceptance of ZEEKR’s intelligent technologies will serve as a “weather vane” for the entire Geely Group’s intelligent development process. At the same time, models represented by the ZEEKR 9X also bear the mission of transferring advanced technologies downward to empower other Geely products.
Sincere Commitment to Users
In other words, the success or failure of the ZEEKR 9X will also affect the future development trend of the entire Geely Group. When asked about how to develop ZEEKR well and create better products in the future, Lin Jie summarized it with the word “sincerity.”
This aligns with ZEEKR’s recent transparent approach of introducing the annual updated model of the ZEEKR 001 through a “Q&A with users” format.
Lin Jie stated that initially, they worried this approach might harm sales, but the final result was “surprisingly good.” The national inventory of the old ZEEKR 001 models has been reduced to around 50 units, allowing them to advance the launch date of the new ZEEKR 001 ahead of schedule.
Since the beginning of this year, this kind of transformation at ZEEKR has been very obvious. It seems that the brand still remembers the lessons learned in 2024, when the overly fast model iteration speed led to complaints from existing users.
During a group interview, Lin Jie once again emphasized the importance of “sincerity,” stating that the brand will value the value of user operations and maintenance. Combined with ZEEKR’s proactive changes over the past period, it is believed that existing users can see this effort.
Finally, let’s return to the ZEEKR 9X. As is well-known, ZEEKR has positioned itself as a “pure electric brand” since its establishment, yet its flagship model, the 9X, is a “plug-in hybrid” product. What does this signify?
Lin Jie believes that ZEEKR focuses more on “what kind of exciting experiences it can bring to users,” and in his view, the “Super E-Mix” technology of the ZEEKR 9X is exactly the kind of feature that delivers an outstanding user experience.
Furthermore, there is a prerequisite: ZEEKR has always maintained that the 9X is not a simple “plug-in hybrid vehicle”—it also offers a strong “electric driving feel.”
With its 70kWh battery pack and the platform extended from the “Haohan” pure electric architecture, he believes the ZEEKR 9X can also be defined as a “pure electric vehicle” in a certain sense.
The launch of the ZEEKR 9X can also be understood as an “active effort to adapt to changes.” What has changed is the external form of the product, as well as some parameters and technical components, but what remains unchanged is ZEEKR’s understanding of user needs.
“The most important thing in product development is to solve customers’ pain points and enhance their pleasant experiences. I believe that by addressing pain points while creating delights, the product will achieve sound development.”
Now that we’ve come this far, we might as well wait and see: can “sincerity” really become Zeekr’s “trump card”? And what position will the Zeekr 9X, which has高调 (high-profilely) positioned itself against the Cullinan, occupy in the long river of history?
The market will soon give us the answer.
(End)
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