Rising electrified brand Zeekr has released the first images of its Australia-bound 8X plug-in hybrid SUV.
Expected to make its global launch within months, the 8X should also be on-sale in Australia in 2026, joining the 7X SUV, X compact SUV and 009 people-mover in the local line-up.
The Zeekr 8X has been created to fill the gap between the mid-size Zeekr 7X EV and the grander Rolls-Royce Cullinan-aping 9X plug-in hybrid available in China.
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Designed to be deliberately sportier than the 9X, the Zeekr 8X looks like it will keep the larger car’s imposing front and rear styling, but combine it with a lower, sleeker silhouette.
Differences compared to the bigger 9X include a set of conventional door handles, plus more pronounced C-shaped LED light signature.
Like its bigger sibling, the Zeekr 8X is based on the Geely group’s SEA-S (Sustainable Experience Architecture) that introduces powerful 900V high-voltage electrics.
It’s not been confirmed but expect the fastest version of the new BMW X5 rival to blend a range-extending 2.0-litre four-cylinder combustion engine with three electric motors and a 70kWh battery.
Total power could be as high as 1030kW for a 0-100km/h dash of less than 3.0 seconds, while the plug-in hybrid’s relatively large battery should provide a range of more than 380km on EV power alone.
That should be boosted to around 1200km when the combustion engine kicks in.
A second 660kW powertrain with just two e-motors could be offered with a downsized 50kWh powerpack.
It would match the performance version’s total range but not travel as far on EV power and take around 4.0 seconds for the 0-100km/h dash.
Thanks to the high-power electrics a 20-80 per cent top-up should take less than nine minutes. On the move, the combustion engine can top-up the battery from 30 to 80 per cent at speeds of around 120km/h in about 90 minutes.
Other highlights of the new 8X when it lands will be its Haohan AI Digital Chassis that can recognise the road surface and automatically switch to the optimum driving mode.
The same system on the large 9X also has a roll-cancelling feature and is said to be capable of safely steering and braking at speeds of 120km/h following two blowouts on the same side of the car.
In China, the 8X will be equipped with a roof-mounted LiDAR binnacle that will be combined with multiple cameras, radars and other sensors to offer Geely’s G-Pilot H7 and H9 driver assist tech.
What’s missing is intel on whether the new 8X will be offered with a third row of seats that could see Zeekr position its new arrival as a more advanced, luxurious and powerful alternative to family friendly SUVs like the Toyota Kluger.
Back in September 2025 Zeekr Australia confirmed to Ev Authority that both the flagship 9X and the soon-to-be-launched 8X were both SUVs that were at the top of its wanted list.
The small Lynk & Co 08 was also of interest and if approved likely to be rebadged for our market. Parwnt Geely recently amalgamated Zeekr and Lynk & Co into the one business.
Launching first with the small Zeekr X SUV and 009 people mover, late last year the Chinese car-maker’s local offering was expanded to include the Tesla Model Y-rivalling 7X.
The 7X has proved instantly popular with strong initial sales.
