Zeekr 8X and 9X Confirmed for Australia, Full EV Versions Possible

Image credit: Zeekr

Zeekr has used the 2026 Beijing Motor Show to lock in two new flagships for Australia. The 8X and 9X large SUVs will land across late 2026 and 2027, sliding in above the existing Zeekr X, 7X and 009 in the local lineup.

Both arrive as extended-range electric vehicles, also known as EREVs. The setup pairs a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine running as a generator with a multi-motor electric drivetrain. The bigger headline from Beijing, though, was that the cars were not designed as hybrids first.

Built as Full EVs, Then a Range Extender Was Added

Speaking at the show, Zeekr Europe's chief engineer for mechanical architecture, Kennet Pettersson, confirmed both flagships started life as battery-electric cars on the brand's new 900-volt SEA-S platform.

“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.

That matters for two reasons. First, a high-voltage 900V architecture is rare in this segment, supporting ultra-fast DC charging that drops 10 to 80% top-ups into single-digit minutes on the right hardware. Second, it leaves Zeekr with a clean engineering path to pure-EV versions if Australia's charging network gets there before buyers tire of carrying a petrol engine they barely use. For where you can actually charge at those speeds today, our EV charging guide for Australia covers the fast-charging picture in detail.

Zeekr Australia managing director Frank Li framed the dual-format launch as a hedge for buyers, not a hedge against EVs.

“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: Six-Seat Flagship Aimed at the BMW X7

The 9X is the headline act. It's a 5.2-metre, six-seat upper-large SUV built to take on the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS on size, presence and power.

Tri-motor versions deliver a combined 1,030kW and 1,410Nm, with a claimed 0-100km/h in 3.1 seconds. China-market buyers can choose between a 55kWh or 70kWh battery for up to 380km of EV-only range on the CLTC cycle. That converts to roughly 300km on the stricter WLTP standard, with combined range exceeding 1,250km when the petrol generator chips in.

The 900V system enables a 10 to 80% recharge in around 10 minutes on compatible DC chargers. Australian pricing has not been confirmed, but expect the 9X to start north of $120,000 plus on-road costs and to sit firmly above the Luxury Car Tax threshold.

Zeekr 8X: Five-Seat Sibling, Similar Footprint to a CX-70

Image credit: Zeekr

The 8X is the more accessible of the pair. It's a five-seat large SUV still measuring more than five metres long, putting it on a similar footprint to a Mazda CX-70 or Audi Q8.

Tri-motor 8X variants match the 9X with 1,030kW combined and a claimed 0-100km/h in 2.96 seconds. A more sensibly priced dual-motor version produces 660kW and still runs 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds. Either is faster than most buyers in this segment will ever need.

Australian pricing is yet to be confirmed, but the 8X is expected to start closer to $80,000 plus on-roads, slotting between the existing Zeekr 7X AWD Performance and the upcoming 9X. That puts it on a collision course with the BMW X5 xDrive50e and Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e plug-in hybrids on price, while comprehensively outgunning both on output.

Where the 8X and 9X Fit in Zeekr Australia

Zeekr already covers the small electric SUV space with the X, the mid-size segment with the 7X, and the luxury people-mover slot with the 009. The 7GT electric wagon is the next confirmed arrival, and the 8X and 9X round out the top of the lineup.

That's a five-model range up from two in just over twelve months. It also gives Zeekr something almost no rival has in this price band, a credible large luxury SUV with a 900V electrical system, hypercar-rivalling outputs, and an upgrade path to pure-EV power without a clean-sheet redesign. Whether enough Australian buyers want a Geely-built Rolls-Royce silhouette is the more interesting question.

Our Take

The 9X is doing the heavy marketing lifting, but the dual-motor 8X is the one most Australians are likely to actually buy. 660kW and 3.7 seconds for around $80k, with the option of plugging in or filling up, is a tough package to argue with at any badge.

The bigger story is the platform. By engineering the 8X and 9X as full EVs first, Zeekr has given itself two years of EREV sales while quietly building the case for pure-electric versions later. That's a smarter long-term play than launching as a hybrid and bolting on EV ambitions afterwards. If you're weighing your options today, our best electric cars Australia 2026 roundup is the place to start.

Full Zeekr 9X and 7GT spec breakdown | Best Electric Cars Australia 2026 | EV vs Hybrid Running Costs