New introduction: Zeekr Mix, a new electric minivan

Minivans are dead? At Zeekr they have a completely different opinion. With the 009, the subsidiary brand of the Chinese Geely Group already has an electric luxury van in Rolls-Royce style in its range, which the sister brand Volvo has even included in its own China portfolio as the EM90 (see video). Now Zeekr is stepping up when it comes to minivans with electric drives: With the mix, a slightly smaller and more reservedly designed counterpart to the 009 will soon be coming onto the market in China. It is currently making its debut at the “International Automotive Exhibition” in Beijing.

design

The design of the Zeekr Mix is ​​vaguely reminiscent of the VW ID. Buzz. Just like the dimensions of 4.70 meters (length), 2.00 meters (width) and 1.76 meters (height) with a wheelbase of exactly three meters. The flat front section with Kindchenschema LED lights merges directly into a huge windshield, above which sits a housing with the technology for the automated driving functions. A decorative element grows out of the headlights on the side and extends over the paneled wheel arch into the front doors. Solid-looking exterior mirrors hang on the A-pillar at window height, whereas no door openers are visible.

The rims have a delicate design that could be inspired by the British Union Jack flag. At both ends of the Zeekr Mix we see – typical of Van – extremely short overhangs. In the first pictures you can see black tinted windows in the rear area, which, in conjunction with the roof section of the same color and in contrast to the paintwork of the rest of the body, divide the Zeekr mix strictly into “top” and “bottom”. There is a large panoramic glass in the roof itself. A spoiler sits above the steeply sloping rear window, while a thin light strip underneath serves as a rear light.

inner space

Inside, the five-seater Zeekr Mix, which reportedly weighs between 2.6 and 2.8 tons, is highly variable – at least when stationary. It offers three different seating modes: In view mode, the front seats are rotated 90 degrees outwards. Thanks to the lack of a B-pillar and doors that slide forwards and backwards, you can look outwards without barriers; According to Zeekr, the mix mutates into a “moving balcony”. In baby mode, the front seats remain close to the dashboard to create a large space for play between them and the rear seats. In assembly mode, the front seats are rotated 180 degrees backwards. This creates a seating area with a face-to-face arrangement that can be supplemented with a table.

Due to the one-box design, the dashboard protrudes far into the interior of the Zeekr Mix. It has a large touchscreen in the center. Additional infotainment screens can be integrated into the interior at other locations. Numerous storage areas and details such as a large number of armrests – for example on the outside of the front seats – are intended to make family life on board more practical.

drive

The Mix is ​​the first Zeekr model to be built on the new Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA-M) platform. Little official information is known about the Zeekr Mix’s drivetrain. Chinese media assume a single-engine rear-wheel drive layout with 310 kW (421 hp), with which the electric minivan can accelerate to an electronically limited 180 km/h at most. The NCM battery (lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide) is said to come from a joint venture that Geely runs together with the battery specialist CATL. The manufacturer has not yet revealed a capacity or predicted range.

The SEA-M platform enables the integration of “steer-by-wire” technology, i.e. steering on an electronic basis without a physical connection to the front wheels. This should keep the turning circle under five meters and give the Zeekr Mix a perspective as a robotaxi. The Geely Group brand had already presented corresponding prototypes that are visually similar to the mix. Zeekr can also imagine the mix as a delivery van for transporting goods.

Market launch and prices

Zeekr applied for approval of the model from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) shortly before unveiling the mix in Beijing. It is still unclear when the Zeekr Mix will come onto the market in China, what it will cost and whether it is intended for export markets. If it actually comes to Europe, it won’t happen before 2025. Zeekr wants to locate production at its main plant in Ningbo in Zhejiang Province.

Conclusion

Zeekr is expanding its portfolio to include the electric minivan mix. Its design and dimensions are reminiscent of the VW ID. Buzz and when stationary it offers a highly variable interior. When it comes to the drive, the Geely subsidiary relies on a rear-engine layout that is integrated into the new SEA-M platform.

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