Chinese automaker Zeekr is getting its 001 liftback ready for a major mid-generational update that will mostly concern its powertrain specs, AutoHome reports quoting the country’s Ministry of Industry. Based on the certification photos, the updated EV gets a redesigned front bumper with an enlarged air intake similar to that of the 1,265-horsepower 001 FR flagship. It also gets new wheel design and size options up to 22 inches, and a green exterior paint option. The interior remains to be revealed, but the media in China tend to agree that it will make do with minimal styling tweaks and perhaps one new trim.
Things are going to get much more exciting
in the powertrain department. The current base spec of the Zeekr 001 makes do
with just one e-motor good for 272 PS. It also uses a
nickel-cobalt-manganese battery from CATL. Both are going to change. According
to the patent data, the facelift version will bring along a much more capable
powertrain comprising a 421-PS motor and a
lithium-iron-phosphate battery designed by Zeekr in the house under its own
‘Golden Brick’ brand. The recently introduced 007 sedan had the same equipment
on board.
It remains to be announced how much better
the new model will perform. Zeekr said before that the new batteries it was
working on would be cheaper to produce, store more power thanks to higher
energy density, and charge faster than those from CATL. As such, the updated
car may end up being both longer-range and cheaper.
The dual-motor variant will also be
updated with a 367-PS motor on the front axle, driving the
total output to 788 PS. The current five-door Zeekr 001
flagship (see video) maxes out at just 544 PS.
The launch date remains to be announced.
