Zeekr Launches 8X Plug-in Hybrid SUV with 1,400 km Range to Challenge BYD

Zeekr, the premium automotive division of the Geely group, commenced the pre-sale phase for its new 8X plug-in hybrid SUV in March 2026, following its official introduction in January 2026. This strategic market entry within China represents a direct effort to contest the established leadership of BYD in the electrified vehicle sector by emphasizing both extended range capability and high-performance metrics.

The vehicle's design centers on mitigating range anxiety through an advanced hybrid system, positioning the 8X as a practical option in a market still navigating charging infrastructure variability. The SUV is engineered around a high-voltage 900V architecture, facilitating rapid energy replenishment, with the capacity to charge from 20% to 80% in approximately nine minutes under ideal conditions. This system integrates a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine, sourced from Aurobay Technologies and producing 205 kW (275 hp), with a potent electric hybrid setup.

The top-tier configuration utilizes a tri-motor system, delivering a total system power output up to 1,030 kW, equivalent to approximately 1,400 horsepower, which allows for acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in around 2.96 seconds. Range performance is a key feature, with the total hybrid range certified to surpass 1,400 kilometers, specifically reaching 1,416 km under the CLTC testing cycle. The electric-only range is rated up to 410 km on the CLTC standard, supported by a 70 kWh NMC battery pack from CATL, enabling up to 328 km of pure-electric driving according to the WLTP cycle.

Built on Geely's SEA-S architecture, the 8X also incorporates Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality at 6kW AC and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) charging at 60kW DC. The initial market response was substantial, evidenced by the acquisition of over 30,000 pre-sale orders within the first two days of the March pre-sale launch in China. This robust initial demand suggests a strong consumer preference for premium, long-range utility vehicles, directly impacting the market share previously held by BYD, which recorded 2.26 million pure electric vehicle sales globally in 2023.

Measuring 5,100mm in length with a 3,069mm wheelbase, the 8X is positioned as a mid-to-large luxury SUV, situated below the larger Zeekr 9X, which achieved over 10,000 deliveries in December 2025. Geely views the immediate success of the 8X, which reportedly secured over 10,000 pre-orders in 38 minutes, as crucial support for its 2026 sales objective of 3.45 million units, given the higher profit margins associated with premium models. The competitive landscape in China’s premium PHEV SUV segment now includes the 8X alongside rivals such as the Aito M8 and Li Auto L8, establishing a new benchmark for performance and range parity with battery-electric vehicles.