Zeekr’s upcoming 9X Grand mega SUV has broken cover ahead of its debut at Auto Shanghai this coming Wednesday. This will be a flagship SUV with all of the bells and whistles.
Previewed already in a very dramatic video by the carmaker, which depicts the SUV pulverising itself free of an icy tomb, the 9X appears to be a grab at the upper echelon of the SUV market. Specs are thin on the ground, other than confirmation of the vehicle’s 5.2-metre length and implementation of a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
It is unclear at this stage which kind of combustion engine will be playing a supplementary role in the 9X Grand. One could rightfully argue that its chief rival the Yangwang U8 is diminished by using a four-cylinder range-extender when the world’s most aspirational SUVs use double or quadruple that number.
China’s car industry is not enthused on cylinder count, so it will probably be a four or V6 at best. It will doubtless make up for this with a very advanced electrical drivetrain which does most of the work anyhow.
We can’t help but draw comparisons to the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 with its solid chrome alloys which appear to be carved from a massive chunk of aluminium. An opulent grille evokes the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, with its imposing size and vertical strakes.
The upper-luxury theme is echoed with the biggest chrome D-pillar adornment we’ve ever seen, plus spears at the lower end of the bodywork.
Pricing is said to be in the same realm as the BYD Yangwang U8 – which converts to around the $200K mark and can float in water. What do you think of the 9X Grand? Would you take one over a Cullinan if the price was right?
