The manufacturer of the electric car with a 1000 km range shows its competitor the Tesla Model 3

Zeekr, to whom we owe the electric car with a 1000 km range, is currently working on the development of a new electric sedan to compete with the Tesla Model 3. Called CS1E, it is currently in testing phase and should see the light of day by the end of the year.

While its sales are doing well, with a Model Y still at the top, Tesla remains the world number 1 in electric vehicles in the world. But the American firm must not rest on its achievements, since Chinese manufacturers intend to take its place. This is for example the case of BYD, on the verge of overtaking the American firm, but not only that.

A new electric sedan

We also think of Zeekr, a young brand founded in 2021 and belonging to the Geely group, alongside Volvo, Lynk & Co and Lotus, among others. The latter already markets several models, namely the 009 and the 001 (the famous electric car with a 1,000 km range), recently available in a sportier FR version, as well as the ID.3. But there is no question for the manufacturer to stop there.

He is currently in the process of working on the development of a fourth modelas shown in a series of spy photos posted on the Chinese site Xchuxing. The latter show an electric sedan still heavily camouflaged, however revealing its three-box silhouette which seems quite dynamic. Especially since the car sits on large rims.

At the moment, the exact dimensions are not yet known, but the length should be around 4.90 meters. For the record, the Tesla Model 3 measures very precisely 4.72 meters. The site Car News China explains to us that this newcomer was entirely designed by the brand’s engineers, a first. It should display a different style from the rest of the range. This can be seen with the unique lighting signature, both front and rear.

The latter seems to take the form ofa thin strip of light that crosses the car from one side to the other. But we will have to wait for the car to remove its camouflage in order to know a little more about its design and discover all its specific features. The manufacturer has, for example, not yet communicated on its Cx (drag coefficient), which should be quite low according to its lines which seem refined.

Launch imminent

For the moment, Zeekr has not shown a single photo of the driving position of its new sedan, which should take the name CS1E. The latter should be quite different from that of the already existing models, while this newcomer seems to be a little apart in the range. The interior should, however, give pride of place to screens and comfort, since roominess should be there on board this newcomer.

The new Zeekr CS1E should also offer many on-board technologies, since it is said that it will be equipped with a LiDAR sensor intended for autonomous driving, probably level 3. The car is also equipped with 360-degree vision , while we will still have to wait before knowing all the equipment that will be offered, as well as the complete range.

Unsurprisingly, the manufacturer is currently not providing information on the technical sheet of the one which should go hunting in the lands of the Tesla Model 3 and the BYD Seal. However, we know that it is based on the SEA platform developed by the Geely group, which it shares with the Smart #1, the Polestar 3 as well as the new Volvo EX90. According to rumors, the CS1E will take over the powertrain from the Zeekr 001, with 544 horsepower.

For the record, the latter also features CATL’s Qilin CTP 3.0 battery, offering a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers according to the Chinese CLTC cycle. Which give approximately 850 kilometers WLTP. We should soon know more, since the sedan should be officially unveiled by the end of the year, for marketing immediately.