Zeekr 8X and 9X confirmed for Australia with full EV versions possible

Key takeaways

• Zeekr 8X and 9X confirmed for Australia by 2027
• Both built on BEV-first 900-volt SEA-S platform
• Full electric versions possible despite EREV launch plan

Zeekr has confirmed its flagship 8X and 9X large SUVs for Australia at the 2026 Beijing Motor Show with both models due in local showrooms across late 2026 and 2027. The Geely-owned brand also revealed both cars were originally engineered as full battery electrics, leaving the door open to all-electric versions down the track.

The 8X and 9X will arrive locally as extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), pairing a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine with a multi-motor electric drivetrain. They will sit above Zeekr's existing X, 7X and 009 in the Australian lineup.

BEV-first engineering opens the door to electric versions

The big reveal in Beijing came from Zeekr Europe's chief engineer for mechanical architecture, Kennet Pettersson, who confirmed the 8X and 9X were designed as battery-electric cars first.

"From the beginning, both 8X and 9X were developed as BEVs. We started with a fully electric platform and then added the engine. From an engineering perspective, moving to a full BEV version would be relatively straightforward," Pettersson said.

Both SUVs ride on Zeekr's new 900-volt SEA-S architecture, supporting ultra-fast charging and giving the brand flexibility to swap between hybrid and pure-electric powertrains as demand shifts.

Zeekr Australia Managing Director Frank Li framed the dual-format approach as a deliberate strategy for local buyers.

"Australia is one of the most important markets for Zeekr outside China. By locking in 8X and 9X, we're bringing technology that's designed to evolve alongside customer needs and infrastructure, rather than locking buyers into one format," Li said.

Zeekr 9X power, range and performance

Zeekr 9X

The 9X is the flagship of the pair, a six-seat upper-large SUV measuring 5.2 metres long and squaring up against the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS.

Tri-motor versions produce a combined 1030kW and 1410Nm, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 3.1 seconds. Buyers in China can choose between 55kWh and 70kWh battery packs with up to 380km of electric-only range on the CLTC cycle, or roughly 300km on the stricter WLTP standard. Total combined range exceeds 1250km, and the 900-volt system enables a 10 to 80% recharge in around 10 minutes.

Zeekr 8X specs and Australian positioning

Zeekr 8X

The 8X is a slightly smaller five-seat sibling, still measuring more than five metres long, putting it on a similar footprint to a Mazda CX-70 or Audi Q8. Tri-motor versions match the 9X's 1030kW output and claim 0-100km/h in 2.96 seconds, while a more accessible dual-motor variant produces 660kW and runs 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds.

Australian pricing for both models is unconfirmed, though the 9X is expected to start above $120,000 plus on-roads, with the 8X likely to land closer to $80,000 plus on-roads.

For Australian buyers, the 8X and 9X take Zeekr into genuine luxury territory while keeping a clear path back to full electric power.

Frequently asked questions

When will the Zeekr 9X arrive in Australia?

Zeekr has confirmed the 9X for Australia in late 2026 or early 2027, with the 8X following later in 2027. Final timing depends on supply.

Will the Zeekr 8X and 9X be available as full electric vehicles?

Both models will launch in Australia as extended-range electric vehicles, but Zeekr has confirmed the underlying platform was developed as a BEV, making full-electric versions technically straightforward.

How much will the Zeekr 9X cost in Australia?

Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but the Zeekr 9X is expected to start above $120,000 plus on-road costs given its size, performance and luxury positioning.