Zeekr 9X PHEV Is The World's First Electric Vehicle With 70 kWh Battery Capacity

Zeekr 9X PHEV. (Photo: Zeekr)

JAKARTA - A pure electric car (EV) with a 70 kWh battery capacity generally has a range of over 400 km, a fairly impressive figure. So, what if a battery of that size could be installed in a plug-in hybrid (PHEV)?

Chinese automakers are relentlessly innovating in the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) segment. One such brand is Zeekr, a premium brand under Geely.

According to Carnewschina, on Monday, August 11, Zeekr will launch its first PHEV model in China, the 9X. This large SUV is claimed to have numerous advantages, but its kerb weight of over 3 tons is worth noting.

According to documents filed by the brand with China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Zeekr 9X is a full-size SUV, measuring 5,239 mm in length, 2,019 mm or 2,029 mm in width, and 1,819 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,169 mm.

The Zeekr 9X is powered by an advanced plug-in hybrid system built on the all-new SEA-S (Haohan-S) modular architecture. This system integrates a 2.0-liter turbocharged "DHE20-PFZ" engine from Aurora Bay Technology Co., with a peak power of 275 hp and a thermal efficiency exceeding 46 percent. This engine is claimed to be 5 to 10 percent more fuel efficient than a typical 1.5-liter hybrid engine.

The hybrid drivetrain is equipped with three silicon carbide electric motors, producing a combined peak power of 1,381 hp. Zeekr claims this power is equivalent to three W12 gasoline engines.

This power allows the Zeekr 9X to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds, with a top speed of 240 km/h. Official statements claim a difference of only 0.2 seconds between full and low battery conditions in the 0-100 km/h acceleration.

The Zeekr 9X's powertrain is primarily based on its CATL-manufactured Freevoy battery, available in 55.1 kWh and 70 kWh capacities. The 70 kWh version is the largest battery among passenger PHEVs, offering a pure-electric range of up to 302 km in CLTC conditions. Built on a 900V system, the battery supports a maximum charging rate of 6C, allowing for a 20 to 80 percent charge in 9 minutes.

The Zeekr 9X will begin pre-sales in China at the Chengdu Auto Show in late August and is expected to go on sale in the third quarter of this year.