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CONS ›› Obtrusive TC, worth unknown, heavy
Most legacy manufacturers gave up constructing wagons and Shooting Brake fashions years in the past, little doubt realizing that the majority new-car consumers are solely all for an SUV. As an organization that’s barely 5 years previous, you’d anticipate Zeekr to do the identical, focusing purely on the segments of the posh market the place gross sales are the strongest.
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The 7GT, additionally badged because the 007 GT in China, proves that Zeekr is prepared to take dangers and supply a competitor to the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo, a car which itself hasn’t precisely been promoting nicely. Based on the 007 sedan from a couple of years in the past, it’s maybe Zeekr’s most promising new mannequin.
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Sales of the 7GT have been ongoing in China since final 12 months, and it’ll quickly launch in Australia and Europe as nicely. We lately had the chance to drive it on the observe and within the snow to see whether or not it’s a authentic rival to the Germans and whether or not it must be thought-about over different current Zeekr fashions, just like the 7X SUV.
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QUICK FACTS
SWIPE
Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Zeekr has been toying with the concept of bringing the 7GT to Australia since at the least early 2025, showcasing it at automobile exhibits to gauge native urge for food for the mannequin. Prices have but to be confirmed, nevertheless it’s anticipated to land at showrooms by the top of this 12 months, or in early 2027.
Visually, the entrance finish shares a lot in widespread with the bigger 7X, sporting the same black band that includes a lightweight bar and the principle headlamps. Obviously, the prolonged roof, sloping rear window, and sharp D-pillars are the spotlight, giving the 7GT an unmistakable presence when seen in individual.
Final specs for Australia are nonetheless being ironed out, however the vary is tipped to encompass three variations, and a possible fourth. Sitting on the base of the vary might be a rear-wheel-drive mannequin with a 75 kWh battery, 370 kW (496 hp) of energy, and able to hitting 100 km/h (62 mph) in a strong 4.8 seconds, all whereas protecting as a lot as 702 km (436 miles) on a cost underneath the CLTC cycle. Sold alongside will probably be a long-range rear-wheel-drive mannequin with the identical motor, paired with a bigger 103 kWh pack.
Sitting on the high of the 7GT household might be a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive mannequin pairing the 103 kWh battery with two electrical motors producing 500 kW (671 hp), up barely from the 475 kW (637 hp) promised for the European-spec mannequin. We drove the rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive fashions. At a later date, the 7GT might grow to be out there Down Under with the lately introduced FR-Line efficiency package, which provides orange brake calipers and will increase energy as much as an astonishing 585 kW (784 hp).
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Models outfitted with the 75 kWh ShenDun Golden Battery can cost from 10-80 % in 10.5 minutes, whereas these with the extra superior 103 kWh CATL Qilin battery cost from 10-80 % in 10 minutes flat.
Oozing Luxury
Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
As we’ve found in different Zeekr fashions, the cabin of the 7GT feels extra premium than numerous the established competitors, together with fashions from BMW and even the Audi S5 Avant we examined earlier this 12 months.
While the 7GT might merely be thought-about a Shooting Brake model of the common 007 sedan, which received’t be offered in Australia or Europe, Zeekr truly took some classes realized from that automobile and utilized them to the 7GT. After discovering out from Chinese consumers that the 7GT was overly reliant on the touchscreen and lacked sufficient bodily buttons, Zeekr has added loads of bodily switchgear to the 7GT.
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For instance, there are shortcut buttons and a quantity curler dial positioned instantly beneath the central touchscreen. The 7GT additionally will get the identical glorious steering wheel because the 7X, somewhat than the 007’s wheel, which is borrowed from the smaller X and comes with some odd bodily buttons and switches.
Obviously, a lot of the cabin is dominated by the 13.02-inch central infotainment show. As with the 7X and different Zeekr fashions, the carmaker’s software program is great, largely mimicking Tesla’s in general structure and operation. Those accustomed to driving new automobiles received’t have any hassle attending to grips with the detailed settings and menus, though others might discover it slightly overwhelming at first.
Positioned in entrance of the motive force is a separate 15.4-inch show with a curved design that feels elegant, though customization choices for this display are considerably restricted. The 7GT additionally comes customary with a 35.5-inch augmented actuality head-up show.
The central tunnel homes two wi-fi smartphone charging pads, massive storage cubbies, two cupholders, and a spacious heart console. High-quality touches discovered all through embody the steel speaker grilles, the soft-touch leather-based throughout the door panels, dashboard, and seats, and the Alcantara-trimmed headliner. It feels becoming of a automobile price nicely in extra of AU$100,000 (US$71,800), and the 7GT is predicted to value fairly a bit lower than that.
Photos Zeekr Australia
Other key options embody 14-way power-adjustable entrance seats with heated, ventilated, and massaging features. There’s additionally a heated steering wheel and acoustic glass, in addition to a thumping audio system and a panoramic glass roof.
Viewed from the skin, you’d suppose that area within the rear of the 7GT can be extremely restricted, given how low the roof appears to sit down. You can think about my shock once I slid my 6’2” body into the rear and located I had roughly one inch of headroom, which is healthier than some SUVs on the market and a lot better than one thing just like the Audi S5 Avant. There’s additionally a great deal of legroom because of the two,925 mm (115.1-inch) wheelbase.
In phrases of practicality, the 7GT features a ski hatch and 645 liters (22.7 cubic ft) of cargo area with the rear seats in place, or 1,737 liters (61.3 cubic ft) with them folded flat. That’s similar to some SUVs so, clearly, the 7GT is just not a car that suffers from not being considered one of them.
How Does It Drive?
As improvement of the Australian-spec mannequin remains to be ongoing, Zeekr shipped a number of left-hand-drive examples for us to check. While the steering wheel was on the alternative facet, we had been informed every little thing else concerning the automobiles we examined was an identical to the fashions that might be offered regionally.
With a headline determine of 500 kW (671 hp) within the dual-motor, all-wheel drive 7GT, it’d be straightforward to confuse the EV as being a track-focused weapon in the identical vein because the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N. But, as we realized whereas lapping the brand new Zeekr and finishing tight, twisty Gymkhana setups, the observe doubtless received’t be the place the 7GT most excels.
RWD First
Our first expertise was behind the wheel of a vivid pink, rear-wheel-drive mannequin on a Gymkhana course, designed to check the automobile’s low- and mid-speed dynamics. Immediately, the rear-wheel-drive mannequin, with its 370 kW (496 hp), felt greater than fast sufficient for enjoyable.
Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Local weight figures have but to be confirmed, however the 7GT will clearly weigh north of two,200 kg (4,850 lbs). It does a very good job of carrying its weight, although, whilst we punished the tires. The suspension feels extra road- than track-focused, which is an effective factor, absorbing bumps nicely and feeling fairly plush, all whereas conserving the 7GT locked to the pavement. Of course, a street take a look at might be wanted to see simply how comfy Zeekr’s newest automobile is, however preliminary impressions are good.
Holding the 7GT again is the traction management system. Zeekr didn’t need us to regulate or flip it off, so we saved it on. Attempting to speed up out of corners with the TC on generally is a little irritating, because it clamps down on energy even once you’re pointed straight forward. Interestingly, the steadiness management permits slightly little bit of slip on the rear axle with out situation; it’s just below energy that the traction management is just too obtrusive.
Our time within the rear-wheel drive 7GT additionally included a number of high-speed lane adjustments, just like a moose take a look at at round 90 km/h (56 mph). The automobile carried out exceptionally nicely on this surroundings, responding to aggressive steering inputs with out understeer.
Later within the afternoon, we had the chance to check the all-wheel drive 7GT on the observe, following a 7X Performance tempo automobile. Our observe expertise consisted of a single warm-up lap and two sizzling laps, although they had been extra like ‘heat’ laps, as we had been unable to push the 7GT past about 80 % of its capabilities.
As we found in the course of the Gymkhana periods, the 7GT has a impartial stability by means of most turns, though it may be pushed into controllable understeer when you’re slightly too grasping on the doorway to a nook. With 500 kW (671 hp) on faucet, the 7GT then picks up pace at a startling charge when pulling out of a flip.
However, the traction management as soon as once more proved to be annoying on the observe, slicing energy when accelerating out of turns. The front-end of the all-wheel drive mannequin additionally isn’t fairly as reactive because the RWD.
Photos Zeekr Australia
The steering really feel is sweet, and it’s straightforward to position the 7GT at pace. It’s additionally a bit of cake to manage ought to the rear finish need to get entangled. Similarly, the brakes proved greater than able to a few moderately fast laps, though we did hear another journalists report a little bit of fade.
The following day, we additionally had the possibility to drive the all-wheel-drive 7GT on snow and ice, alongside different Zeekr fashions just like the X, 7X, 8X, 9X, and 001 FR. Finally, we got the go-ahead to show off the traction management on the smooth Shooting Brake fully, and it proved to be an utter pleasure to float round.
Photos Zeekr Australia
Unlike different Zeekr fashions we sampled, the 7GT felt fairly rear-biased on the snow. Turning the wheel and pinning the throttle was sufficient to kick out the tail, and delicate strain on the accelerator pedal allowed for some beautiful drifts. Here’s hoping the 7GT delivers the same feeling on the road or on the observe if the traction and stability management techniques are disabled.
The all-wheel-drive mannequin Australia will get is predicted to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in about 3.5 seconds. Sadly, we didn’t get the chance to check this, however we now have little motive to doubt it’ll be achievable in the actual world. Cars just like the Tesla Model 3 Performance and Hyundai Ioniq 6 N are slightly quicker, however something underneath 4 seconds is unquestionably actual fast.
Verdict
The Zeekr 7GT in all probability received’t be an enormous vendor, and virtually definitely received’t promote in the identical volumes because the bigger 7X, however primarily based on the primary drive, it appears worthy of all the identical reward handed out to its SUV sibling. Like the 7X, the construct high quality of the 7GT is great, as is the know-how it’s been loaded with.
I believe Zeekr has additionally nailed the design, creating an property that appears extremely smooth but stays spacious inside, so it would completely work as a household automobile. Importantly, potential consumers shouldn’t be talked out of a Porsche Taycan, Audi RS e-tron GT, or Hyundai Ioniq 6 N as a result of they suppose the 7GT might be an exceptional on-track performer. It does nicely sufficient on the observe, however we predict it’ll really feel even higher on the street, and hopefully received’t have to attend too lengthy to check it the place house owners will doubtless spend most, if not all, of their time behind the Chinese taking pictures brake’s wheel.
Photos Zeekr Australia
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