Zeekr 001 FR to boost power — in case 1265 hp isn't enough for the supermarket

It seems that the Chinese brand Zeekr, part of the Geely holding, has decided not to stay in the shadows of its competitors. Following the impressive success of the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, the company plans to seriously upgrade its flagship electric liftback Zeekr 001 FR. According to rumors, its powertrain may exceed 2000 hp, making it an even more formidable competitor in the high-performance electric vehicle market.

The Zeekr 001 FR was introduced in the fall of 2023, and it was positioned as a response to the Tesla Model S Plaid with its 1020 hp. Developers assured that in the next five years, no one in China would offer anything similar. However, plans were disrupted by Xiaomi under the leadership of Lei Jun. Their sports sedan SU7 Ultra not only surpassed Zeekr in power but also set a record at the Nürburgring, instantly capturing the attention of the global automotive market. Currently, Xiaomi's sales in China are nearly twice those of Zeekr, which clearly affected the latter.

It seems Zeekr intends to give a worthy response. According to insider data published by CarNewsChina, an updated version of the 001 FR is being prepared with a lighter body, improved aerodynamics, and enhanced powertrain. The model may also attempt its chance on the legendary German track, especially since the brand is already represented in Europe. However, the top FR version is currently available only in China and is produced in a limited series.

As of now, the Zeekr 001 FR is priced at 769,000 yuan (approximately $107,000). It is equipped with four electric motors — one on each wheel — with a combined output of 1265 hp and 1280 Nm of torque. Acceleration to a hundred takes 2.02 seconds, and the top speed is limited to 280 km/h. A 100 kWh battery provides a range of 550 km according to the CLTC cycle.

For comparison, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is equipped with three electric motors (one in the front, two in the rear) that produce 1548 hp and 1770 Nm. It accelerates to 100 km/h in 2.01 seconds, or 1.98 seconds with the optional Track Package. The maximum speed reaches 350 km/h. A 93.7 kWh battery allows for a range of up to 630 km without the additional package or 520 km in the track configuration. The price starts at 529,900 yuan (about $74,000).

Currently, the Zeekr 001 FR seems like a less advantageous offer compared to the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, but upcoming changes might overturn the situation. It is possible that other Chinese automakers will join this power race, making the market even more dynamic and unpredictable.