EV brand ZEEKR shared its latest progress update in regard to its latest model – the 001 FR shooting brake. Production is now underway in China as ZEEKR prepares for the 001 FR’s official launch on Friday. Here’s the latest.
It’s been less than three months since Geely-owned ZEEKR began throwing shade at Tesla’s Model S plaid with the debut of its latest EV – the 001 FR – a quad-motor shooting brake performance version of its flagship sedan.
Since then, we’ve learned that Chinese consumers can expect to take advantage of 1,265 bhp, tank turns, and a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 2.07 seconds (rolling start) when the EV inevitably begins deliveries.
ZEEKR moved one step closer to that milestone today, announcing the first 001 FR sedans have begun rolling off its assembly lines, just in time for the shooting break’s official launch overseas.
ZEEKR 001 FR to launch in China on October 27
The Chinese automaker shared the following post on its Weibo page earlier today, showcasing the very first FR version of the 001 surrounded by ZEEKR employees. It also shared a video featuring drone footage inside and out of its assembly facility, showcasing a lineup of ZEEKR 001 FRs being built ahead of the launch. Per ZEEKR:
The first batch of mass production comes off the production
line. The ultimate performance is the strongest on the surface. Beijing is locked at
19:30 on October 27th. #001FR launch conference
7:30 p.m. Beijing time translates to 7:30 a.m. EST, so we can expect to learn more about the 001 FR, its specs, and its availability during the launch event Friday morning. Additionally, ZEEKR shared that it has recruited former Finnish Formula One driver Kimi “Iceman” Räikkönen as its performance consultant on the 001 FR. Räikkönen raced from 2001-2021 with a three year in the middle and is the most decorated Finnish F1 driver by a long shot – ZEEKR describes him as “the ‘best driver’ person on earth.”
Per news from the company in September, 001 FR deliveries are expected to begin in China before the end of the October, beginning with a monthly output of 99 units. As we previously reported, ZEEKR has been flirting with the idea of brining its Tesla competitor over to Europe as well, joining the standard 001 sedan and new X SUV.
ZEEKR has yet to confirm if that will in fact happen, but perhaps we learn more on October 27. Stay tuned until then.
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