Zeekr is coming to Britain with a stylish new shooting brake EV

Upmarket Chinese car brand Zeekr is set to launch in the UK with a striking new shooting brake that it hopes will provide a head-turning alternative to the Tesla Model Y.

A large car measuring more than 4.8 metres long, the striking new Zeekr 7GT will also challenge the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer, Kia EV6 and others.

Unlike many new Chinese models, the Zeekr 7GT has been designed in Europe and tuned specifically for European roads. The promise is of better handling and more cohesive dynamics than many other new Chinese electric cars.

Zeekr 7GT battery and charging

The Zeekr 7GT will offer a choice of 75kWh or 100kWh batteries. Both will have an 800V architecture for incredibly fast 480kW DC rapid charging. This will take it from 10-80% in as little as 13 minutes (if you can find a suitably powerful public charger).

The 75kWh battery will be combined with a 421PS electric motor driving the rear wheels, for 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds. It will have a range of up to 322 miles.

The 100kWh battery in rear-wheel drive guise has a range of 406 miles. There’s also a dual motor all-wheel drive model, producing 646PS for 0-62mph in just 3.3 seconds. All are limited to a 130mph top speed.

The Zeekr 7GT AWD gets air suspension, but all versions have double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear. It is based on Geely’s PMA2+ architecture, also used by the Smart #5.

Zeekr 7GT styling, interior and technology

Inside, it’s available with a huge 35.5-inch augmented reality head-up display, along with a 13.0-inch driver display and 15.0-inch touchscreen. There are dual wireless smartphone chargers, each with a beefy 50W output.

Many models also come with an interior fragrance system.

Zeekr offers its own sound systems, including a premium setup with 23 speakers (including driver headrest speakers) and a 2160W output.

A panoramic glass roof is standard, as is rear privacy glass, while both front and rear side windows are frameless and laminated. Top-spec Zeekr 7GT have powered front and rear doors.

The Zeekr 7GT has a 456-litre boot, and a 65-litre frunk (which shrinks to 32 litres in the AWD model).

Lothar Schupet, acting CEO of Zeekr Europe, says: "We are thrilled to bring our latest vehicle to the European market. A true passion project, the 7GT represents our commitment as a high-end challenger brand to deliver high-level premium products to our customers, without losing focus on their fundamental drive – the thrill of the journey.

"This launch marks the start of a very exciting year of expansion for Zeekr in Europe with more products to come."

Zeekr 7GT price and launch date

Prices for the Zeekr 7GT in Europe start from €45,990, which is around £40,000. Even the range-topping AWD model, at around £50,000, costs less than an entry-level Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer. Exact UK prices will be confirmed nearer to its market launch, dates of which are still to be confirmed, but likely to be in the summer.

Other Zeekr models could potentially find their way to the UK too, including the Zeekr 009 MPV and Zeekr X small SUV.

Zeekr was founded by Geely in 2021. It has since sold more than 550,000 cars and now wants to accelerate its growth further with the aggressive roll-out in a dozen European countries including the UK.