Zeekr 8X revealed: PHEV hybrid’s looks and tech detail have been exposed in China
More light has been shed in China on the Zeekr 8X plug-in hybrid SUV ahead of a global debut expected within months and a local on-sale date pencilled in for 2026.
Expected to join the 7X electric SUV, X compact SUV and 009 people-mover in Zeekr Australia showrooms, the new 8X has been uncovered in a filing with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information technology (MIIT).
Zeekr has then followed up with its own official images that reveal the 8X’s imposing chrome grille for the first time.
Nevertheless, Zeekr says the 8X has been deliberately styled to be sportier and sleeker than the 9X revealed at the Shanghai show last April, while retaining the brand’s bold, upright design language.
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The 9X is also yet to be confirmed for Australia and is thought to be less likely because of its high price.
Key 8X visual differences compared with the bigger model include conventional door handles instead of pop-out items, a lower, more streamlined silhouette and a more pronounced C-shaped LED light signature front and rear.
In overall intent, the 8X is shaping up as a high-performance luxury SUV aimed squarely at rivals such as the BMW X5, rather than ultra-luxury SUVs like the Rolls‑Royce Cullinan that inspired the 9X’s visual heft.
Like the 9X, the Zeekr 8X is based on Geely’s SEA-S (Sustainable Experience Architecture – Sport) platform. This advanced underpinnings bring 900-volt high-voltage electrics, unlocking ultra-fast charging and extreme performance potential.
MIIT regulatory data confirms the 8X will be a plug-in hybrid, capable of pure electric driving, external charging and long-distance hybrid operation.
Battery options listed include 55kWh and 70kWh ternary lithium-ion packs, unusually large by plug-in hybrid standards.
While final specifications are yet to be locked in, expectations are high for performance.
The most extreme version is tipped to combine a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine
Up to three electric motors, a 70kWh battery, total system output that could reach around 1030kW, 0–100km/h in under 3.0 seconds, more than 380km of EV-only range and a total driving range of roughly 1200km.
A second, more attainable variant is expected to use two electric motors, a smaller ~50kWh battery, around 660kW total output and 0–100km/h in about 4.0 seconds.
Despite the performance drop, total range is expected to mirror the flagship version, albeit with less electric-only capability.
Thanks to its 900-volt architecture, Zeekr is claiming rapid energy replenishment with a 20–80 per cent DC fast charge in less than nine minutes and an-road battery top-up: from 30–80 per cent in around 90 minutes at highway speeds using the combustion engine.
MIIT filings also shed light on the 8X’s physical footprint and hardware: Length: 5100mm; Width: 1998mm; Height: 1780mm; Wheelbase: 3069mm; Seating: 5 or 6 seats;Towing capacity: 2000kg braked.
Wheel sizes range from 20 to 22 inches, while approach and departure angles (20°/22°) suggest light off-road and touring capability rather than hardcore bush work.
A major highlight will be Zeekr’s Haohan AI Digital Chassis, capable of analysing road surfaces in real time, automatically switching drive modes and actively managing ride, handling and stability.
In China, the 8X will also feature a roof-mounted LiDAR binnacle, multiple cameras, radars and sensors and G-Pilot H7 and H9 advanced driver-assistance systems. The full autonomous hardware suite is unlikely to make it to Australia.
Back in September 2025, Zeekr Australia confirmed to EV Central that both the 9X and 8X were at the top of its wish list for local introduction.
With the 7X already proving a strong seller after its recent launch, the arrival of the larger, more powerful 8X in 2026 would significantly strengthen Zeekr’s presence in the premium electrified SUV market.
More details – including confirmed Australian specifications, seating layouts and pricing – are expected closer to the Zeekr 8X’s global reveal.
