In Oslo, we didn’t just learn about Zeekr’s strategies for Europe. It was also the perfect opportunity to discover the third model for the European market, the new Zeekr 7X.
The first SUV from Geely’s premium brand, like all the models, was developed in Gothenburg. For the occasion, we also had the chance to speak with its creator: Stefan Sielaff, Vice President of Global Design at Geely Group and Head of Zeekr Design. Sielaff is the mind behind the Zeekr 007 and a designer with vast experience from Audi and Bentley.
The car is now available for order in Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands, with deliveries expected in summer 2025. In the coming year, Zeekr is also expected to arrive in Denmark with its entire European range, which also includes the 001 (test drive here) and X (test drive here) models.
The Zeekr 7X and a new approach to design
“After various adventures, I came to Sweden and took over the management of the Global Design Centre about three and a half years ago. My first task, assigned by the stakeholders in China, was to build a new brand and a new design philosophy for Zeekr. It was a very interesting experience for me because, in the past, I had always worked with very traditional brands, some over a hundred years old. Starting everything from a blank sheet of paper was a completely new challenge, and I’ve enjoyed it very much so far,” begins the designer.
Indeed, both the 007 and the 7X, which share a lot in terms of both aesthetics and technology, have much in common. In particular, the exterior is clean and dynamic, and the proportions have been studied to combine both aesthetics and practicality: measuring 4.7 meters long, 1.6 meters high, and with a 2.9-meter wheelbase, it falls into the medium-large SUV category, directly competing with the Tesla Model Y or BYD Sealion 7, offering performance and range similar to them.
In particular, the 7X adopts the innovative front design of the 007 sedan (which unfortunately is not currently available in Europe), featuring “hidden” Matrix LED headlights that are not visible when off, and full-width rear light clusters, bringing Zeekr’s new visual identity to Europe.
“Our design philosophy takes a different approach compared to traditional ICE brands. While many traditional portfolios focus on uniformity, we aim for a genetic code in our designs, similar to how family members share traits but retain individuality. This creates a sense of connection without making every model look identical,” Sielaff comments.
Luxury interiors
Inside, the 7X brings the best of Zeekr’s quality and technology, with high-end materials and luxury features. It includes heated and ventilated front seats with a massage function, electronic opening of all four doors and the tailgate, and plenty of space for passengers, thanks to the 2.9-meter wheelbase.
The trunk is decent but not outstanding, offering a minimum capacity of 539 liters. However, with an additional 66 liters in the frunk, the car is more optimized, as cables and small bags can easily fit under the front hood.
As per Zeekr’s tradition, an excellent tech package is included, now enhanced for the first time with ZeekrGPT, an in-house developed AI voice assistant designed to improve comfort and safety.
The Zeekr 7X features an advanced tech system designed to leverage the potential of software-defined vehicles. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 processor offers unprecedented processing speed, while the third-generation HMI system ensures a seamless digital experience. Additionally, the 7X integrates the Zeekr Places app, providing real-time information on nearby points of interest, including charging stations.
Other noteworthy features include the ultra-slim 16-inch HD infotainment display and, particularly, the 36.2-inch HD Head-Up Display, an option that makes the Zeekr 7X even more futuristic.
The fastest Zeekr in Europe to charge
Like all Zeekr vehicles, the 7X is built on the SEA platform in its PMA2+ (Pure electric Modular Architecture) version and is the fastest to charge in Zeekr’s European range. Thanks to the 800V voltage system, it supports DC fast charging of up to 360 kW, allowing a 10-80% charge in just 13 minutes, making it the fastest-charging electric car in the European market.
For home charging, a 22 kW AC charger allows for a full battery recharge overnight.
When it comes to motors, there are three variants:
- Premium and Long Range, with a single 310 kW (421 hp) motor and estimated ranges of 480 km and 615 km, respectively.
- Performance AWD, with two motors (one for each axle) generating 470 kW (639 hp) and 710 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds.
The optional active air suspension further enhances driving dynamics and the vehicle’s adaptability to difficult road conditions, increasing ground clearance by up to 45 mm.
Battery covered for up to 8 years
Zeekr offers 5-year or 100,000 km warranty, extendable up to 10 years or 200,000 km with regular maintenance at authorized centers. The high-voltage battery is covered for 8 years or 200,000 km.
A Swedish, global, and digital design
Sielaff also took the opportunity at the event to talk about his work at the Gothenburg Design Centre, which is located near the Göta Alv river in the Swedish city.
“About one and a half or two years ago, we moved into a brand-new design center in the heart of Gothenburg, located right by the river. At our Gothenburg studio, both the Zeekr and Lynk & Co design teams operate globally, creating designs for the entire product portfolio. Each brand has around 120 creative team members, supported by shared services such as design operations, digital modeling, visualization, and clay modeling,” he explains. Adding that the European team works in continuous collaboration with the Chinese center in Shanghai, this is part of a new development technique in automotive design.
“The studio is highly digital, as is our entire workflow. While we still use clay models for reality checks, much of the design work is generated digitally and shared in real-time with our colleagues in China. We have also introduced a new way of presenting projects: instead of physically transporting heavy models, we use virtual reality. This allows us to walk around a virtual model simultaneously in Gothenburg and Hangzhou Bay with our bosses, discussing the designs as avatars. It’s a completely new way of working that has significantly reduced development time from the first sketch to the final car, taking less than two years. This is a stark contrast to when I started in the industry 35 years ago, where everything was analog and could take over five years,” he continues. The reference is to the almost record development times of Zeekr cars, which take less than 18 months to go from prototype to final version.
