ZEEKR ‘over delivers’ 001 FR EV that is faster, more powerful, and less expensive than anticipated
Days after rolling its very first models off its assembly lines, ZEEKR has officially launched its high-performance 001 FR shooting brake EV, stating it has “over delivered” on specs. With the official launch, we’ve learned this new quad-motor EV will offer more power, faster acceleration, and a starting price about $30,000 less than originally rumored.
Our story leading up to ZEEKR’s recent launch of the 001 FR began this past August, when the Chinese automaker teased the performance sedan and called out Tesla’s Plaid variant by name, calling it, “dull.”
Since then, ZEEKR has shared initial specs of the shooting brake model, including 1,265 bhp, 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 2.07 seconds, and other features like tank turns. At the time, we were following rumors than the new shooting brake EV would start at a price around RMB 1 million ($136,700).
Most recently, ZEEKR has officially launched sales of the 001 FR, priced well below that number. Better yet, the quad-motor vehicle arrives with even better specs than originally advertised.
ZEEKR 001 FR launches in China, will join new markets too
Following the official launch, ZEEKR is touting even better EV specs than originally promised, thanks to support from former Finnish Formula One driver Kimi “Iceman” Räikkönen, who recently came onboard as ZEEKR’s chief performance advisor on the 001 FR. ZEEKR previously described Räikkönen as “the ‘best driver’ person on earth.” Per ZEEKR:
Racing champion Kimi Räikkönen worked with ZEEKR engineers to give the car top-notch tuning allowing it to perform to perfection both on race tracks and on the road condition. ZEEKR’s hardware and infotainment engineers launched Räikkönen Mode with which the car can offer immersive and comprehensive features for drivers who would like to push it to the limit. The ZEEKR 001 FR is also the world’s first production car to be equipped with 8295 intelligent cockpit platform, adding increased intelligence to interior functions.
The results are impressive compared to a mere month ago. The 001 FR now offers 1,300 bhp and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 2.02 seconds – 0.05 seconds faster than before. Other specs include ZEEKR’s first globally used 800V architecture, housing a 100kWh Qilin battery pack from CATL that enables fast charging from 10-80% in 15 minutes.
The pack powers four silicon carbide-powered motors developed in-house by ZEEKR, utilizing torque vectoring technologies that can adjust power to each wheel in milliseconds and perform tank turns.
Lastly, ZEEKR shared that the 001 FR starts at an MSRP of RMB 769,000 ($105,100), over $30,000 less than originally rumored. As we’ve reported in the past, production in China will be limited to 99 units per month, at least to begin.
Earlier this month, we covered news that ZEEKR was mulling bringing its 001 FR EV over to Europe to compete with Tesla, but hadn’t heard any updates since. During the launch ZEEKR did not confirm entry into Europe directly, but we should see the 001 FR in some new markets outside of China in the future. Per ZEEKR:
Global markets will receive the 001 FR in due course, in limited volumes.
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Slate Auto, a new EV startup backed by Jeff Bezos, has poached a key Tesla manufacturing leader to build its electric pickup truck factory in Indiana.
Napoleon Reyes is a US Marine from Indiana who got a degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue after leaving the force.
He then worked a few years at Subaru and Wabash before joining Tesla’s manufacturing team at the Fremont Factory in 2020.
There, he became part of the Model Y production ramp and was quickly promoted to lead the Model Y General Assembly in Fremont in 2022.
Reyes led Model Y GA, one of the most critical parts of vehicle manufacturing, for more than a year before being promoted again to lead new pilot processes at the factory.
Most recently, he led the launch of the general assembly line for the Model Y refresh.
The new engineering manager announced this week that he is leaving Tesla to join Slate:
A bit late on the post but after nearly 5 years working at Tesla in Fremont, I made the difficult decision to leave the Company and move closer to home with my family. It was an incredible experience being part of multiple line expansions and multiple Model Y program launches. Leading and managing the Model Y Refresh launch for GA in Fremont this year tested me professionally however we ultimately succeeded due to our amazing cross functional team collaboration. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with such great people, and I will forever be proud and thankful for everything we accomplished together.
I will be taking on a new role as Senior Manager, Plant Vehicle Engineering at Slate Auto in Warsaw, In.
Slate emerged from stealth mode earlier this year to unveil a new type of electric pickup truck featuring modular customization and an affordable price.
The company raised over $700 million through two rounds of investments from several different investors, including Jeff Bezos. It is currently raising more, which basically guarantees that it will be able to reach production.
The startup acquired a former printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana. It is currently converting to manufacture its electric pickup with a team from legacy automakers and also several former engineers and leaders from Tesla.
Rich Schmidt, an early Tesla manufacturing director, is the head of manufacturing.
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Genesis is preparing to shake things up with its most luxurious SUV yet, the GV90. Thanks to a new patent filing, we are getting a detailed look at how its Rolls-Royce-style coach doors will work.
New patent reveals Genesis GV90 coach door system
When Genesis first unveiled the full-size SUV at the NY Auto Show last March, it wasn’t the stunning design or advanced tech that caught everyone’s attention. It was the coach doors.
Although we were worried it wouldn’t make it to the production model, like many concepts, the Genesis GV90 will be offered with coach doors.
The ultra-luxe electric SUV was first caught with coach doors earlier this year on a car carrier in South Korea. Just last month, the GV90 was spotted in California with a hinge at the rear to open the coach doors.
After several new patents were filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for new door latching devices, we are getting a sneak peek at how they are expected to work.
The patents, titled “Cinching Device For Door Latches in Vehicle,” and “Door Latch Device for Vehicles,” give a pretty detailed explanation of how the Genesis GV90’s coach doors will operate. The “Door Latch Device” uses a door striker on the lower side of the door, which is opened or closed by a hinge unit.
Unlike traditional doors, which use the B-pillar for support, the device is attached directly to the door itself, allowing for hinge-like movement.
The cinching device works in a similar way. It’s also attached to the door and part of the vehicle. However, unlike most of its kind, Genesis found a way to use a single cinching device to control multiple units. Again, the device is used for B-pillarless doors that swing open.
Genesis already said that B-pillarless coach doors are now feasible in production vehicles. The patent reveals a glimpse into how the luxury automaker could make it a reality.
Although the Genesis GV90 is expected to be offered with coach doors, they will likely not be standard. Other variants, with traditional door handles, have also been spotted testing in the US and South Korea.
Genesis is expected to launch the GV90 in mid-2026. It will be built at Hyundai’s Ulsan plant in South Korea. The flagship Genesis SUV is scheduled to debut on Hyundai’s new eM platform, which the company said will “provide 50% improvement in driving range.” It will also be loaded with the latest technology, software, connectivity, and Level 3 or higher autonomous driving capabilities.
Source: USPTO
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Environment
Podcast: Tesla Model YL, more Tesla probes and lawsuits, new Nissan Leaf pricing, and more
In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss the launch of the Tesla Model YL, more Tesla probes and lawsuits, new Nissan Leaf pricing, and more.
The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We now have a Patreon if you want to help us avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:
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