Zeekr has this car that they want to break records with: the Zeekr 001 FR shooting brake. And to do just that, they needed someone accustomed to speed. Who would be super fast, super experienced on the racetrack, and yet free of all racing contracts and available? That would be former racing driver Kimi Raikkonen.
Kimi Raikkonen retired from Formula 1 back in 2021. But he surely still has the skills that made him a World Champion in 2007. He also drove in other motorsport series such as NASCAR and World Rally Championship (WRC).
So, the Chinese from Zeekr wanted him on the team as Chief Performance Adviser. They have this performance shooting brake that they want to improve, making it “faster and stronger.”
Powered by four motors, the model has 1,248 horsepower (1,265 PS) and 944 lb-ft (1,280 Nm) of torque. It can run from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 kph) in 2.07 seconds in a rolling start scenario, on its way to a top speed of 176 mph (283 kph). It obviously is a rival for the Tesla Model S Plaid, which hits 60 mph in 1.99 seconds and a top speed of 200 kph (322 kph).
A large battery pack with a capacity of 140 kWh helps it drive as far as 641 miles (1,032 kilometers) on a single charge, which really is something to write home about. Meanwhile, the Model S Plaid has to settle for the 390-mile (628-kilometer) range with energy stored in a 100-kWh battery pack.
The Chinese called the Model S Plaid "dull," despite the fact that the American model on paper, is quicker, even though it has lower output and torque: 1,020 horsepower (1,034 PS) and 1,050 lb-ft (1,424 Nm). So it is obvious why Zeekr needs Kimi. They need to close that gap to beat the Model S Plaid in every single battle.
So they obviously need to work on the skills of the Zeekr 001 FR to become more interesting than the "dull" contender. The model sports a carbon fiber aero kit and rides on 22-inch wheels with performance tires. Braking power is provided by ten-piston AP racing brake calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear.
One thing that the Model S Plaid surely does not have is the tank turn capability. The Zeekr 001 FR has recently demonstrated that ability in broad daylight with people around filming the scene.
The Zeekr 001 FR is going to set wheels on American soil in 2025. Before that happens, the high-performance shooting brake will be launched in Beijing today, October 27. The Chinese already sell the 001 in Europe, with the first shooting brakes arriving on the Old Continent back in September. The Zeekr X urban compact crossover has also set wheels there (check photo gallery).
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