Less than a month after teasing a new high-performance version of its flagship 001 EV, ZEEKR has shared some of its upcoming specs – and they’re impressive. After straight up calling Tesla’s Model S Plaid “dull,” the Chinese automaker is “saying sorry to other performance brands,” because the ZEEKR 001 FR is packin’ some heat.
These are some more bold words from an automotive company that was founded as recently as March of 2021 and has introduced three all-electric bespoke models since. That began in October of 2021 when the 001 sedan began off its assembly lines in China.
With 001s now on their Europe, ZEEKR is not only expanding its lineup, but its global footprint. Next, however, the company appears to be attempting to turn some heads on the racetrack. In August, ZEEKR sent out a cheeky Tweet introducing a high-performance version of the 001 called the FR – its first luxury sports car.
While throwing shade at Tesla, ZEEKR described the 001 FR as “a new kind of beast,” but not much else. By calling out Plaid specifically, we surmised ZEEKR had some serious performance. You know, since that version of the Model S remains one of the fastest production EVs on Earth.
Today we have our answer – Quad-motors baby.
ZEEKR 001 FR is not only fast, but production ready
According to a press release from ZEEKR today, the 001 FR feature four silicon-carbine motors – double the powertrain of the boring old 001 we were talking about. The automaker says the quad-motors combine for a distributed e-drive design supported by in-house software and hardware technologies, utilizing torque vectoring to adjust each wheel in milliseconds.
Oh, and it can do tank turns.
Those motors combine for a staggering 1,265 brake horsepower (bhp) and can propel the electric sports car from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 2.07 seconds (rolling start). That’s fast, but what might be faster is the ZEEKR 001 FR’s charging capabilities thanks to a 100 kWh pack powered by CATL’s next-generation Qilin batteries.
ZEEKR states the upcoming EV can charge from 10-80% in a mere 15 minutes – that’s one of the company’s incoming V3 fast charging piles that offer a maximum output of 800kW (1000V, 800A). By 2024, ZEEKR says it plans to expand its fast charger network to 1,000 stations.
Long before then, however, we should be seeing the 001 FR starting rolling out as ZEEKR also revealed deliveries are scheduled to begin in October. Everything about this car is fast. To keep others safe, ZEEKR said it will give each customers personalized training sessions so they can handle the performance of the new EV.
When deliveries begin, ZEEKR is planning to produce 99 001 FRs per month thereafter. ZEEKR still has officially shared pricing yet, but as we reported during the original announcement, a source shared ZEEKR is asking over RMB 1 million ($138,700). We will have to wait and see.
Looking forward to getting behind the wheel of this one (with proper training of course). Check it out!
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Hyundai officially launched the new IONIQ 6 N in its home market this week. The IONIQ 6 N, Hyundai’s first electric sports sedan, packs a monstrous 650 horsepower, yet Hyundai insists it’s not all about the performance.
Hyundai’s first EV sports sedan hits Korea: The IONIQ 6 N
After unveiling the IONIQ 6 N at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, Hyundai promised the electric sports car “redefines the EV driving experience” with new vehicle control software, fun features, and plenty of power.
The IONIQ 6 N is Hyundai’s first EV sports sedan and second electric vehicle to receive the “N” treatment. Hyundai’s first, the IONIQ 5 N, has been one of the most awarded high-performance electric SUVs since its debut in 2023.
With the addition of the new IONIQ 6, Hyundai said its N brand is “once again redefining the boundaries of high-performance electrification.”
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Hyundai launched the IONIQ 6 N sports sedan in Korea on October 1, with prices starting at just 79.9 million won. That’s about $57,000 and doesn’t include government subsidies.
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 N launches in South Korea (Source: Hyundai)
Drawing power from a dual-motor AWD powertrain, Hyundai’s EV sports sedan delivers up to 609 horsepower (448 kW) and 740 Nm of torque.
However, if you really want to feel the power, there’s an added N Grin Boost function that bumps the output to 650 horsepower (478 kW) and 770 Nm of torque, enabling a 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) sprint in just 3.2 seconds.
The interior of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 N (Source: Hyundai)
The IONIQ 6 N features an 84 kWh battery, good for 291 miles (469 km) WLTP range, but Hyundai fine-tuned it to optimize efficiency, power output, and temperature control.
With a new electronically controlled suspension (ECS), front Hydro G bushings, and rear dual-layer type bushings, the EV sports car offers “precise body control.” Like the IONIQ 5 N, Hyundai has added performance features such as N e-Shift, which simulates the sensation of shifting gears, and the N Active Sound + system, which replicates the sounds of a gas-powered engine.
The interior of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 N (Source: Hyundai)
Although it packs a punch, Hyundai said the electric sports sedan is designed for both the track and as a daily driver.
“Hyundai Motor Company’s first high-performance sedan EV, the IONIQ 6 N, offers a comfortable ride during everyday driving and predictable performance,” a company official said.
Hyundai IONIQ 6 N (Source: Hyundai)
At 4,935 mm long, 1,940 mm wide, and 1,495 mm tall, the IONIQ 6 N is about the size of the Porsche Taycan, but it’s about half the cost.
Following its home market, Hyundai will launch the IONIQ 6 N in Europe by the end of the year and in the US in early 2026. We will learn prices closer to launch, but given the IONIQ 5 N starts at $66,200, it’s expected to arrive at a slightly lower price.
Hyundai announced the 2026 IONIQ 5 will start at under $35,000 in the US after cutting prices across all trims. It also plans to continue offering the $7,500 federal tax credit on 2025 models. The IONIQ 6 could be next in line.
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The $7,500 tax credit may be gone, but that isn’t stopping BMW. The Ultimate Deal Machine is rolling into the Brave New World of EVs this October with a $7,500 purchase credit off MSRP across the board (and that’s just the beginning).
The sitting administration killed off the $7,500 Federal EV tax credit abruptly after September 30th, leading many casual industry watchers to proclaim that the age of the great EV deal was over. And, while many argued that view was too cynical, it turns out it wasn’t too cynical enough with OEMs like Ford and GM turning to tricky accounting and others like Hyundai simply cutting prices to keep demand for its EVs high.
German performance brand BMW is also getting in the mix, offering a “$7,500 purchase credit off MSRP” across its electric and electrified vehicle lineup. And, while it may sound like a 1:1 sort of replacement for the Federal tax credit, there’s a few significant reasons to believe that this deal might actually be better than the one that went away.
Everyone gets the money
Electric vehicle offers; via BMW website.
The EV tax credit was (advertised as) a great tool to help people overcome the higher up-front cost of EVs, but vehicles with starting price tags over $80,000 and income caps at $150,000 for individual filers meant that many Americans who were interested in a new EV were never benefitting to begin with. At the same time, Americans who didn’t have a $7,500 tax burden may have wondered how or if the tax credit would work for them.
If that take isn’t quite cynical enough, consider this: the rebate probably convinced more OEMs to artificially jack up the prices of their US-bound EVs by $7,500 (give or take) than it did to reduce any supposed barriers to entry.
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Urban Arrow, a Dutch brand best known for its front-loading cargo box bikes (or bakfiets), has just expanded into new territory with the launch of the Urban Arrow Breeze, the company’s first-ever longtail electric cargo bike. In addition to bringing a new form factor to the brand, it also offers a more affordable price.
Long recognized for their high-quality electric family and commercial cargo bikes that feature massive front boxes, Urban Arrow is now jumping into the more compact and versatile longtail category, putting them head-to-head with several of the biggest longtail cargo bike competitors. And true to form, they’re not cutting corners, just complications.
Longtail cargo bikes are generally more streamlined to produce due to simpler steering and more conventional frames, allowing the Breeze to look and feel more like a typical urban bike, while still offering plenty of cargo goodness.
The Breeze is designed to carry serious loads without taking up as much space. With a wheelbase comparable to a standard city bike, the Breeze can still handle up to two child seats on the rear rack while keeping a nimble footprint. Total carrying capacity tops out at 200 kg (440 lb), and the rear rack is fully MIK-compatible, allowing for fast, tool-free swaps of baskets, bags, and child seats. Both the front and rear racks are included with the bike.
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Powering the Breeze is the Bosch Cargo Line motor, a popular choice among heavy-hauling e-bikes thanks to its torque-rich, low-speed performance. Riders can choose from 400 Wh up to 800 Wh of battery capacity via the online configurator. The front end features a beefy Suntour Mobie 34 suspension fork, and the bike rolls on 26” wheels with wide tires for extra comfort and stability.
Priced at €5,499 in Europe, the Breeze undercuts Urban Arrow’s other pricier models, yet still offers family vehicle performance. The model also comes standard with a double kickstand for easy loading, and Urban Arrow is offering a wide range of accessories at launch, including everything from panniers and cushions to protective side rails.
Available now in black or green, the Urban Arrow Breeze marks a significant step for a brand that helped define the modern e-cargo bike, and now looks ready to expand its offering by showing what an Urban Arrow longtail can do.
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