Chinese twin to upcoming Volvo EX30 small electric SUV is targeting a slice of the European EV market
Flourishing Geely Group member and EV specialist Zeekr has previewed its upcoming compact electric SUV, widely anticipated to carry the 003 nomenclature.
Teased via a quartet of images on the Geely Group’s Twitter account, the zero-emissions compact SUV is shrouded in a busy but thin camo wrap that allows us to see most of the exterior design’s key details.
All of the usual EV goodies like integrated door-handles, aero wheels, smooth body lines and a streamlined nose are present, as is the brand’s signature squinty front lighting signature.
?@OfficialZeekr will launch its third model this year! pic.twitter.com/w7jo7p16FG
— Geely Group (@GeelyGroup) January 30, 2023
The narrow expression is matched at the rear by a nearly full-width lighting signature, with corresponding vertical elements on the bumper matching the air-dams up front.
An official nameplate hasn’t been announced for what will be Zeekr’s third model – hence the ‘3rd’ aspect of its numberplates – but international reports citing anonymous insiders inside the car-maker claim it’ll be called the Zeekr 003.
Such a name would make sense given its identity as the third Zeekr model, but it would also reflect the vehicle’s relationship with the upcoming Volvo EX30, which is being developed and built on the same Scalable Electric Architecture (SEA) platform using the same key drivetrain mechanicals.
Rumour has it there’ll be both single- and dual-motor versions good for outputs of between 200-315kW, while the biggest battery capacities could approach 70kWh – lifted from the recently updated Volvo C40 Recharge.
Neither model has been formally revealed yet, but Volvo boss Jim Rowan recently let slip the EX30 would break cover in mid-June ahead of its Australian introduction sometime in 2024.
The Zeekr equivalent, meanwhile, is tipped to debut at the Shanghai auto show in April, in preparation for its entry into selected European markets as well as its native China.
Zeekr has several locally approved and pending trademarks in Australia but at this stage there is nothing to suggest its imminent launch Down Under, where fellow Geely EV brand Polestar is selling all the EVs it can import and where Volvo will become an EV-only brand in 2026 – four years before its parent company.
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Keyword: Zeekr 003 previewed ahead of expected April debut