The 1,020-horsepower Tesla Mannequin S Plaid has had the marketplace for high-performance EVs all to itself for greater than two years, however that may change as early as subsequent month, a minimum of in China.

That is as a result of the primary Tesla Mannequin S Plaid contender, the Zeekr 001 FR, will begin deliveries in China in October with a high-performance electrical powertrain that delivers 1,265 horsepower.

Constructed by Geely Group, the Zeekr 001 FR is predicated on the common 001 mid-size liftback that lately went on sale in Europe, however it’s a fully totally different type of beast. 

Whereas essentially the most highly effective variant of the common Zeekr 001 includes a dual-motor powertrain that makes 536 horsepower (400 kilowatts) and 516 pound-feet of torque, the 001 FR is an absolute monster with 1,265 horsepower (943 kW) from 4 silicon carbide electrical motors. 

This permits the Zeekr 001 FR to speed up from zero to 62 miles per hour in 2.07 seconds “in a rolling begin situation.” This recommend a rollout is concerned, though Zeekr doesn’t present particulars. Within the case of the Mannequin S Plaid, Tesla says its electrical efficiency sedan rockets from zero to 60 mph in 1.99 seconds with a one-foot rollout. It is also value noting that the 1,234-hp Lucid Air Sapphire is claimed to do 0-60 in 1.89 seconds, however the firm makes no point out of a rollout.

Since we do not know the size of the rollout utilized by Zeekr and the actual fact its acceleration time is measured to 62 mph and never 60 mph, it seems like these three efficiency EVs will likely be actually shut in the case of acceleration. After all, we cannot know for certain which one will come out on prime till these tremendous EVs duke it out on the drag strip.

Till that occurs, it is best to know that the Zeekr 001 FR isn’t just quick on a straight line; it is also quick in corners because of torque vectoring capabilities enabled by the distributed quad e-drive design and in-house software program and {hardware} applied sciences.

14 Pictures

The EV maker says the system can push most energy to every wheel and may modify energy to every wheel in milliseconds for a real efficiency expertise. Oh, and it may do tank turns!

The Zeekr 001 FR can also be quick in the case of charging. The car includes a 100-kilowatt-hour CATL Qilin battery pack that helps ultra-fast charging because of the model’s enhanced 800-volt electrical system. In consequence, the battery can cost from 10 to 80 p.c in simply quarter-hour. 

Zeekr additionally says the 001 FR includes a built-in satellite tv for pc communications pack, permitting for complete communications in essentially the most distant spots “successfully eliminating mobile community black spots while on street journeys.”

From a styling perspective, the Zeekr 001 FR distinguishes itself from the common 001 because of distinctive exterior and inside designs with a robust give attention to weight discount.

The FR variant boasts a motor sports-inspired physique equipment with a extra aggressive entrance bumper, a pointy entrance splitter, bigger air intakes, facet skirts, greater wheels shod with efficiency tires, in addition to a roof spoiler on the again doubled by a set rear wing, and a sporty bumper that integrates a large diffuser.

The car makes use of many light-weight carbon fiber parts to enhance aerodynamic efficiency and add downforce, together with the entrance splitter, mirror caps, rear spoiler, and rear wing. No pictures of the inside have been launched but.

Zeekr says that deliveries of the 001 FR will begin in October 2023 in China, with manufacturing restricted to 99 automobiles every month. Homeowners will likely be given personalised coaching classes to turn into accustomed to driving high-performance automobiles. 

In August, the corporate famous that the 001 FR can be priced above 1 million yuan ($137,750), undercutting the Tesla Mannequin S Plaid that begins round $147,000 in China. It is not clear if the Zeekr 001 FR will likely be bought outdoors China.