Zeekr Mix: A New Era in Electric Minivans
The Zeekr Mix represents a significant innovation in the realm of electric vehicles, particularly within the minivan segment. Manufactured by Geely Automobile Holdings under its premium brand, Zeekr, this battery electric minivan was unveiled to the public during Auto China in April 2024 and officially launched on October 23, 2024, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. Positioned below Zeekr’s flagship model, the luxury 009 minivan, the Mix combines advanced technology with a unique design aimed at maximizing interior space while minimizing the vehicle’s external dimensions.
Overview of the Zeekr Mix
The Zeekr Mix is classified as a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) by some, though Zeekr itself refrains from labeling it as such. The company claims that the Mix shares more characteristics with crossover SUVs than traditional MPVs, primarily due to its driving experience and ground clearance. The vehicle boasts a notably long wheelbase that exceeds three meters (118 inches), providing ample interior space. One of its intriguing features is that it serves as a human-driven counterpart to the CM1e, an unreleased robotaxi MPV developed in collaboration with Waymo.
Zeekr has invested significantly in the development of the Mix, reportedly spending 2.8 times more than what would typically be required for similar-sized mid-to-large SUVs. This investment is visible in the vehicle’s high space utilization rate of 93%, which is well above the industry standard of below 70%. Unique engineering feats include a swiveling front passenger seat that costs three times more to produce than conventional seating options.
Exterior Design
The exterior design of the Zeekr Mix draws inspiration from the brand’s 007 sedan, featuring a distinctive large black stripe across its width, known as the “Stargate.” This stripe integrates seamlessly with the headlight units and extends through the vehicle’s wheel arches. The rear tailgate is adorned with a high-mounted LED light strip that enhances visibility and adds a modern touch.
Access to the cabin is made easy through rearward sliding rear doors and a forward sliding front passenger door. The driver’s door maintains a conventional design. One notable aspect of this setup is that both front and rear doors open without pillar obstruction, allowing for an entrance width of 1,480 mm (58.3 inches). To ensure safety despite this pillarless design, Zeekr has reinforced the doors with ultra-high strength steel.
The vehicle’s body features a contrasting black roof that includes a sunroof, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. Additionally, due to the absence of a front motor, the front wheels have an impressive turning radius of only five meters (16.4 feet), contributing to its maneuverability.
Interior Features and Comfort
Inside, the Zeekr Mix is designed with versatility and comfort in mind. It offers five seats that can rotate up to 270 degrees to allow occupants to face each other or even towards the door for ease of entry and social interaction. The outer two rear seats are equipped with power folding leg rests for added luxury, while an optional folding leg rest can be found on the back of the front passenger seat.
The center console boasts innovative features such as a power sliding mechanism and includes a refrigerator compartment along with an integrated folding table. This design allows for nine different seating configurations, catering to various needs such as conversation or relaxation during outings; one configuration even allows for all seatbacks to fold down flat for camping purposes.
The Mix takes comfort further by equipping both front and rear seats with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. It also features a fixed panoramic sunroof that bathes the interior in natural light and a state-of-the-art audio system with 21 speakers supporting Dolby Atmos technology. The dashboard consists of a 13-inch digital gauge cluster screen complemented by an augmented-reality heads-up display and a manually tiltable 15-inch infotainment touchscreen centrally located for ease of access.
The interior height measures at 1,350 mm (53.1 inches) above the floor level, allowing for spacious headroom. With 6.3 square meters (68 square feet) of total interior space and a trunk capacity of 568 liters (20.1 cubic feet), practicality is also at the forefront of its design. Furthermore, it features Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities with a 220V AC power outlet available in the trunk.
Powertrain Performance
Underneath its sleek exterior lies an impressive powertrain that propels the Zeekr Mix efficiently and effectively. It features a single motor configuration that delivers 310 kW (approximately 416 horsepower
Artykuł sporządzony na podstawie: Wikipedia (EN).