- Zeekr 8X is positioned between the 7X and 9X, using a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
- Power comes from a turbo 2.0-litre engine, three electric motors, and up to 70kWh battery.
- Flagship versions are reported to deliver up to 1030kW, matching Zeekr’s larger 9X SUV.
Zeekr isn’t easing off the throttle.
Fresh regulatory images from China have revealed the brand’s next big play: the Zeekr 8X. It's a large, luxury SUV that blends Rolls-Royce-inspired styling with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain delivering frankly outrageous power.
Slotting neatly between the electric 7X (now in NZ) and the flagship 9X, the 8X broadens Zeekr’s line-up with a model that very deliberately does not go fully electric.
Rolls looks, Zeekr attitude
In standard form, the 8X borrows heavily from the design language of the 9X. The upright chrome grille is unashamedly formal, flanked by distinctive “lobster claw” headlights and an assertive lower bumper. It’s a look aimed squarely at the high-end SUV crowd.
A sportier variant has also been shown, swapping chrome for a blacked-out grille, riding on dark wheels with orange brake calipers and wearing a roof-mounted rear spoiler. A chunkier rear diffuser and bold red reflectors complete the tougher stance. Both versions share full-width LED tail-lights, giving the 8X a recognisable night-time signature.
Not electric, and that’s the point
Unlike Zeekr’s fully electric 7X, the 8X is expected to mirror the 9X by using a plug-in hybrid powertrain. A turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is paired with three electric motors and a choice of two battery packs: 55.1kWh or a larger 70kWh unit.
Chinese reports suggest the flagship version will produce up to 1381 horsepower, which equates to roughly 1030kW. That puts it firmly into hypercar territory for outright output, even if real-world performance figures remain under wraps.
It’s not yet clear whether the sport variant gains any mechanical upgrades or simply wears a more aggressive outfit. Zeekr has not disclosed drivetrain differences between variants yet.
Luxury, multiplied by screens
Inside, expectations are predictably high. Zeekr has built a reputation for premium materials and solid fit and finish, and the 8X is unlikely to be an exception. While it may not match the full feature set of the larger 9X, multiple screens are all but guaranteed, along with both five- and six-seat configurations.
The bigger story here is strategic. With the 8X, Zeekr is signalling that petrol-assisted performance still has a role, even in a brand best known for electric excess. For buyers not quite ready to give up internal combustion, the 8X could land right in the sweet spot.
