Following its Chinese market debut last year, the ultra-luxury Zeekr 9X is expected to arrive on Malaysian shores by late 2026 or early 2027, and is estimated to carry a price tag between RM700,000 and RM1 million.
This was revealed by Zeekr Malaysia General Manager Eddy Lu during a media event in Harbin, China, where the 007 GT and 7X were also available for test drives. According to Lu, the wait for the 9X is due to the complexity of right-hand drive (RHD) engineering and the necessity of meeting European homologation standards, which Malaysia adopts for local compliance.
There is a reason the 9X has been colloquially dubbed the “Hangzhou Bay Cullinan.” Beyond its massive 5.24-metre footprint, the SUV features a long bonnet and prominent rear overhang that give it an upright, stately silhouette clearly inspired by the Goodwood icon.
While it shares a similar C-shaped light signature with the Zeekr 009 (albeit turned 90 degrees), the 9X distinguishes itself with a massive waterfall front grille. Unlike the solid decorative panel on the electric MPV, this unit features active air intakes to cool the engine.
The 9X is also the first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model from Zeekr, featuring a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine across the range. The entry-level Max variant utilises dual motors drawing power from a 55 kWh battery to deliver a combined 885 hp and 935 Nm, enabling a 0-100 km/h sprint in 3.9 seconds. This setup offers a pure-electric range of 300 km (CLTC) and a combined range of up to 1,200 km (CLTC).
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Stepping up to the Ultra variant gives buyers the option of a larger 70 kWh ternary lithium-ion battery, increasing the pure-electric capability to 388 km (CLTC) and the combined range to 1,250 km (CLTC).
For the range-topping Hyper and Obsidian Black editions, an additional electric motor on the rear axle bumps the output to a combined 1,381 hp and 1,410 Nm. This allows the 9X to dispatch the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 3.1 seconds. These flagship variants offer a pure EV range of 355 km (CLTC) and a combined range of 1,165 km (CLTC). Thanks to its 900V architecture, the 9X supports 6C (420 kW) ultra-fast charging, capable of a 20-80% recharge in approximately nine minutes.
This supercar-beating performance chauffeurs occupants exclusively in a six-seater 2-2-2 layout featuring 14 to 16-way adjustable seats. The highlight is the second row, where zero-gravity captain’s chairs can rotate 180 degrees to face the rear, creating a mobile lounge. Passengers are treated to a roof-mounted 17-inch 3K display, while the driver benefits from a massive 47-inch augmented-reality heads-up display and a choice of single or dual 16-inch infotainment screens.
The cabin is a tech-heavy sanctuary finished in Nappa leather and wood veneer, featuring a refrigerator and a 16.8-million-colour ambient lighting system. For audiophiles, the 9X borrows a page from Bentley’s playbook with a 3,868-watt Naim sound system. This 32-speaker setup features active noise cancellation and works in tandem with 11-piece laminated soundproof glass to ensure the interior remains whisper-quiet.
While RM700,000 is certainly not small change, the perspective shifts when compared to the icon that inspired it. A Rolls-Royce Cullinan in Malaysia officially starts from RM1.8 million, before taxes and options. At a fraction of that cost, the 9X’s “Hangzhou Bay Cullinan” nickname suddenly feels like a very affordable compliment.
GALLERY
