Zeekr 001 Review: The Shooting Brake That Redefines Chinese Performance

With 3.3-second acceleration, 750 km of range and a chassis that genuinely deserves the grand-tourer label, the Zeekr 001 is China's most complete performance EV.

We lived with the 001 for three months and 10,000 kilometres, from Shanghai's congested inner ring to mountain passes in Zhejiang province. Here is what the numbers don't tell you.

Performance: Supercar Numbers, GT Manners

The dual-motor AWD system produces 580 kW and 810 Nm, launching the 001 to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds. Yet the headline number understates how usable that performance feels. Throttle response is progressive rather than switch-like, and the chassis soaks up the power without drama — there is no torque-steer, no wheelspin, just relentless, composed thrust.

Top speed is limited to 240 km/h, which matters less than how the car behaves at a legal 120: whisper-quiet, arrow-straight, and effortless to overtake with.

Chassis & Ride Quality

This is where the 001 separates itself from the BYD Seals and Tesla Model 3s of the world. Adaptive air suspension with continuously variable damping reads broken tarmac with surprising grace, while rear-axle steering shrinks the 4,977 mm body in town — the turning circle feels like a compact hatchback's.

The trade-off is mass. At 2,300 kg, physics eventually wins: brake hard into a hairpin and you feel the weight transfer through the pedal. Zeekr has clearly engineered around this, and the car never feels unsafe — just substantial.

Cabin & Technology

Inside, the 001 makes a strong case for Chinese premium. The 15.05-inch centre touchscreen and 13.02-inch digital cluster are backed by a 34-inch augmented-reality head-up display that projects navigation onto the road itself. Material quality — nappa leather, real metal trim, microfibre headliner — rivals cars costing twice as much in Europe.

Software remains the weakest link. The infotainment is quick and visually polished, but menu logic occasionally buries common functions two levels deep, and voice control handles English poorly. Over-the-air updates during our test improved startup times and added a much-requested widget dashboard.

Range & Charging

The 100 kWh CATL Qilin battery delivers a 750 km CLTC rating. In mixed real-world driving — mostly 100-120 km/h expressway with climate control on — we averaged 480-520 km between charges, which is honest by class standards.

Charging is the 001's party piece. The SEA-M 800V architecture accepts up to 360 kW, and on a compatible charger we saw 10-80 percent in 15 minutes. That is 100 km of range every three minutes, effectively neutralising the weight penalty on long trips.

Practicality: The Shooting Brake Advantage

The shooting-brake body style isn't just style. The 539-litre boot swallows more than a sedan's, the tailgate opening is enormous, and rear headroom benefits from the roofline. Fold the rear seats and you have a load floor long enough for a bicycle with the front wheel removed — something no Model 3 can match.

Verdict

After 10,000 km, the Zeekr 001 has earned its 4.6 rating. It combines supercar acceleration with genuine grand-tourer comfort, a practical body and class-leading charging — at a starting price of roughly USD 38,000 in China. The software still needs polish and the weight is ever-present, but as a complete package, the 001 is the strongest argument yet that Chinese performance EVs can benchmark the established order.

Zeekr Review Performance Electric Vehicles

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