While most eyes were fixed on the new announcements coming out of Munich, on the other side of the world - in China - the Zeekr 001 FR was being presented: a new high-performance electric shooting brake variant.
On paper, it is a badge that does not immediately spark much intrigue, even after learning that “FR” stands for Future Roads. The figures attached to it, however, are impossible to ignore.
Zeekr 001 FR performance figures that steal the spotlight
That is because the Zeekr 001 FR uses four electric motors (one per wheel) that deliver a maximum of 930 kW or 1265 cv, comfortably outgunning the Tesla Model S Plaid’s 1020 cv and edging past the Lucid Air Sapphire’s 1250 cv - where does this end?
Unsurprisingly, the performance is blistering. The 0–100 km/h sprint takes just 2.07s, but only “if the measurement is done like on Teslas”. In other words, using a rollout scenario, which partially removes launch inertia by ignoring the first 30 cm, as is common in (drag races). If measured the proper way, the time rises to 2.36s.
Top speed is electronically capped at 280 km/h - 322 km/h in the Tesla and 330 km/h in the Lucid - yet the brand claims the 001 FR can corner like very few others, sustaining lateral forces of 1.4 G.
Its contact with the road underlines that performance intent. Beyond KW-developed suspension, it comes on more aggressive, generously sized rubber: 265/40 R22 at the front and 295/40 R22 at the rear.
Bringing the momentum of this missile to a halt is handled by a braking system featuring Brembo carbon-ceramic brake discs, plus AP Racing callipers with 10 pistons up front and four at the back.
One motor for each wheel
This “crazy” performance-focused take on the Zeekr 001 is built around an 800 V architecture and four electric motors.
The pair assigned to the front wheels are rated at a maximum of 155 kW each (211 cv), while the two at the rear (with rotors wrapped in carbon fibre) contribute 310 kW apiece (422 cv).
Together they add up to the already-mentioned 1265 cv and, as you can see, most of it is handled solely by the rear “axle”.
One advantage of this layout, by doing away with any physical connection between the four wheels, is that each wheel can spin independently - even in opposite directions. For instance, the wheels on the right-hand side can rotate one way, while those on the left-hand side turn the other way.
The end result is that the Zeekr 001 FR can rotate 360º on the spot - like the Rivian R1T - without moving forward or back (see the video below). It strikes us as an ideal trick for many parking manoeuvres.
Battery and charging
Powering this “monster” is a CATL battery with a maximum capacity of 100 kWh. Range is quoted at 580 km (WLTP), although reaching that figure will be difficult if you make full use of the performance the Zeekr 001 FR has on tap.
On the plus side, the company says the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 15 minutes.
From 0 to 99 units in 15 seconds
The Zeekr 001 FR will be capped at 99 units per month, with first deliveries scheduled as early as October.
Even without an official Zeekr 001 FR price announcement - it is estimated to be close to 130 thousand euros in China - the brand opened online orders on 1 September. Fifteen seconds later, the first 99 available units had sold out.
Now it remains to be seen when we will get to watch the first real “tie-breaker”, side by side with the Tesla Model S Plaid and Lucid Air Sapphire rivals that it has just surpassed on power. Which would you back?
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