Is Geely Auto Group’s premium EV brand Zeekr banking on China’s new three-child policy in planning new products? Here’s everything we know about the Geely electric minivan (electric MPV) that has just hit the Chinese market.
Design
Zeekr revealed the 009’s exterior on August 9, 2022. On August 11, 2022, China’s Ministry of Industry Information and Technology (MIIT) released pictures of the new electric MPV, which provided a realistic look at its exterior, while also revealing its white color option.
Front
At the front, the Zeekr 009 features a huge, Rolls-Royce-style stately grille with a thick slab of chrome at the top and vertical struts. However, less shiny grille options will be available, as seen in the pictures from China’s MIIT (above). The new electric MPV has edgy split headlamps, consisting of inverted U-shaped DRLs on the top and horizontal main lamps in the middle section of the bumper.
Side
On the sides, in addition to some typical features of minivans, such as sliding rear doors, large windows, and upright D-pillars, the 009 has 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels, C-pillar trim, and standard door handles. The thick chrome strip above the windows may look tacky or unnecessary to customers in the global market. The kick in the beltline before the C-pillar is a neat touch, though.
Rear
At the rear, the electric minivan features an upright tailgate with a huge windscreen, T-shaped combination lamps, a narrow full-width light band right above the combination lamps, and a block-lettered brand logo. The model name is printed on the right side of the tailgate.
Interior & Features
The interior of the Zeekr 009 looks simple and conventional. It features a curvy dashboard with a large floating touchscreen infotainment system attached to it and a reconfigurable digital instrument cluster integrated into it.
Steering & armrest
The electric MPV’s leather-wrapped steering wheel is a three-spoke unit with a flattened bottom and contrast stitching. The floor console is set high and houses an armrest that doubles as a butterfly lid to secure a roomy storage compartment lying underneath.
15.4-inch touchscreen
The center touchscreen is a large 15.4-inch display with a landscape orientation and curved corners. The instrument cluster is a fully-digital 10.25-inch display, so no surprises there. There’s also a ceiling-mounted 15.6-inch screen, with five pre-set adjustments for viewing angles, for the rear-seat entertainment system – this and the center infotainment system run on Zeekr OS software. The Yamaha premium audio system comprises 6 speakers integrated into the driver’s & middle-row occupants’ headrests and 14 more high-fidelity speakers around the cabin for an immersive surround-sound effect.
Connected car technology comes by means of ‘Mobile App’ remote control, while there’s an in-car app market as well. A high-speed 5G network is also available, with OTA vehicle updates offered by the company.
Sofaro first class seats
The second row has two individual “Sofaro first class” seats that are covered in soft Nappa leather and have up to 12 cm (4.7 in.) of cushioning. They boast electric adjustments, massage options with memory and extra-wide headrests with side bolsters. Further, these seats can be heated or cooled and feature customizable profiles as well. The inner armrests house retractable leather-lined tray tables, while the side armrests include a storage compartment. Meanwhile, the sliding doors house a small touchscreen for interacting with the climate control system.
Sunroof & storage
There’s a usable third row of seats, and while they look comfortable enough, the width looks just enough to accommodate two passengers. The Zeekr 009 also features a dual-sunroof design that provides an impressive 7.4 square meters (79.6 square feet) of glass real estate, allowing light to flood the cabin for a greater sense of space and airiness. The maximum storage volume of the trunk is 2,979 liters (105.2 cubic feet).
