C40 Recharge

Make
Volvo
Segment
SUV

Earlier this year, China's Geely (the parent company of Volvo, which is expanding its EV lineup with the upcoming C40 Recharge) announced a new electric car sub-brand called Zeekr. With a focus on making premium electric cars, Zeekr is on a mission to make EVs more exciting. If this wasn't obvious, the company uses the tagline "no more boring EVs" in its marketing campaigns.

Back in April, Zeekr revealed its first model at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show. Called the 001, Zeekr's first EV was hailed as the "world's first mass-produced pure electric shooting brake." Fast forward six months later, and the first Zeekr 001 has rolled off the assembly line at Ningbo, China.

Zeekr is clearly proud of the 001, referring to the electric shooting brake as "the most exciting EV in a generation." With its sleek design resembling the Porsche Panamera Cross Turismo, the Zeekr 001 is undeniably attractive. However, we would argue there are plenty of other radical-looking EVs on the market that aren't boring - Zeekr clearly hasn't seen the retro-inspired Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Powering the 001 are two electric motors, with one on each axle producing a combined 536 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. With power being sent to all four wheels, the Zeekr will reach 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of over 124 mph. Buyers can choose between a 86 kWh and 100 kWh battery.

The latter can charge from 10 to 80 percent in under 30 minutes. According to China's CLTC rating system, the Zeekr 001 will last up to 712 kilometers (442 miles).

Since the unveiling, Zeekr has responded to initial feedback and upgraded several aspects, but no specific details were revealed. Now that production has started, the first deliveries of the Zeekr 001 will begin on October 23 in China. By the end of the year, Zeekr plans to open ultrafast 360-KW charging stations in 10 cities and third-party charging stations will be available across 272 cities in China. After deliveries begin in China, the Zeekr 001 will be sold in global markets, but the Chinese automaker still hasn't confirmed if it will go on sale in the US.