After months of anticipation, the new vehicle from Zeekr has officially hit the market.

On October 23rd, the Zeekr MIX was unveiled, introducing two variants to consumers: the Smart Drive version and the Long Range Smart Drive version, priced at 279,900 RMB and 299,900 RMB respectively.

A "New Species" in the Car Market

In terms of positioning, Zeekr's Vice President Lin Jinwen remarked that the Zeekr MIX combines the driving experience of an SUV with the appearance of an MPV, thus representing a blend of both categories

The company believes this creates a novel segment in the market.

Indeed, the dimensions of the Zeekr MIX measure at 4688 mm in length, 1995 mm in width, and 1775 mm in height—a configuration that fits within the Chinese definition of a mid-size SUVHowever, with a wheelbase of 3008 mm, it rivals some larger MPVs; for instance, the famous Toyota Alphard has a wheelbase of only 3000 mm.

From a design perspective, the Zeekr MIX employs the "Horizon-M" platform to craft a spacious and innovative cabinA distinctive feature of this model is the removal of the B-pillar and the door sills, making it the only car in China with hidden double B-pillarsCombined with electrically opening doors, the Zeekr MIX boasts an entry space of nearly 1.5 meters, which is commendable.

However, this innovation raises questions about safety

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In conventional vehicles, B-pillars are crucial for supporting the roof and enhancing chassis rigidity—particularly vital in the event of a collision, where they protect passengers from side impacts.

The Zeekr MIX’s unique design requires extensive testing to validate the safety of its hidden double B-pillar arrangement, providing reassurance to consumers.

In response, Zeekr's CEO An Conghui explained at the unveiling that within each car door, they have constructed two ribbed gas-expansive steel columns, each about 70 mm in diameter, totaling four per vehicleEach steel column consists of submarine-grade heat-formable steel with a tensile strength of 2000 MPa and utilizes a groundbreaking 3.5 mm thick gas-expansion process—twice the thickness of conventional materials, enhancing overall strength by 33% and measuring 1300 mm in length.

During a follow-up interview, Lin Jinwen asserted that the Zeekr MIX has passed safety standard tests from the United States, Europe, and China, claiming it to be a model designed to the globe's most stringent safety standards.

With its unique design, the Zeekr MIX offers an impressive 93% of usable passenger space, allowing for an enjoyable user experience.

In addition to space, the Zeekr MIX does not compromise on performance either

The entire model lineup is equipped with an all-stack 800V high-voltage system, delivering acceleration from 0-100 km/h in just 6.8 seconds, with a CLTC range expected to reach 550 km; the Long Range version boasts an impressive maximum range of 700 km.

In terms of intelligent driving capabilities, every Zeekr MIX comes equipped with laser radar and dual Orin-X processors, along with the proprietary Zeekr Horizon Intelligent Driving 2.0 systemOver the next three months, Zeekr plans to begin phased rollouts of multi-level automated valet parking, with urban unmanned zones set to be initiated by the end of October.

“No Boring Cars” Approach

Discussing the motivation behind the Zeekr MIX's development, An Conghui openly stated that the company does not create boring vehicles

The Zeekr MIX stands as the most ambitious model developed by Geely in its 30 years of automotive history, with an investment surpassing 2.8 times the norm for mid-large SUVs.

As this is a "new species," no specific sales target has been set; An Conghui indicated that innovation often comes at a cost, and as long as the Zeekr MIX contributes positively to the industry, sales figures should follow accordingly.

While it is challenging to forecast the delivery contributions from the Zeekr MIX to the company, An Conghui emphasized that the average monthly delivery for Zeekr should not fall below 20,000 units.

This year marks a significant product year for Zeekr, with multiple models launched from the refreshed Zeekr 001 to the new Zeekr MIX, covering a price range from 200,000 to 800,000 RMB, including sedans, SUVs, MPVs, and this new “species.” This has led to an uplift in sales performance for the brand this year.

In the first nine months of this year, Zeekr recorded cumulative deliveries of 142,900 vehicles