The Zeekr 009 will serve as the basis for the Volvo minivan
If some are already considering that the electric could kill the SUV, we can also imagine the return to grace of the minivan. This will be the case at Volvo, which is preparing to launch an electric minivan. In China only.
The minivan does not represent a significant share of the Chinese market. Nevertheless, we have been witnessing for a few months a kind of rush on the part of local manufacturers in this segment, largely with electric models. Everyone wants to dethrone the king Buick GL8, not yet switched to electric, on a very symbolic but high value market, both in terms of price, but also of image. In China, the minivan is indeed distinguished in two sub-segments, that of ultra-economical models (Wuling Honguang, etc.), gone out of fashion, and that of high-end minivans for transporting VIPs.
To date, few foreign manufacturers are present in this market. There is of course Buick with its (or rather ses) GL8, Honda with the Odyssey and Elysion, Toyota with the Alphard, Lexus with the LM (LM350 / LM350h), clone of the aforementioned Toyota and Mercedes with the V-Class. In this herd, none is electric…
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Report – Volvo EX90: what does the (very) large 100% electric SUV announce?
Things will change, since Volvo is probably preparing to launch a large electric minivan in China, a new segment for him. Even at the height of the minivan fashion in Europe, the Swedish manufacturer never ventured into this territory. New for the brand, but not really for the Geely group. This new Volvo would thus be directly derived from the Zeekr 009, whose production began a few days ago.
The 5.21m long Zeekr 009 is based on the SEA platform. The marketed versions have a choice of 116 or 140 kWh batteries. These are the famous Qilin from CATL which are also making their debut on the 001 crossover. Thus equipped, the range is 702 or 822 km in the CLTC cycle (around 550 or 650 km in the WLTP). An 86 kWh battery is also planned, as well as a two-wheel drive model. For the moment, only the four-wheel drive versions with two motors, for 400 kW and 686 Nm, are marketed. And despite its Norman cabinet look crossed with a Rolls-Royce, it displays an astonishing Cx of 0.27… The Volvo version should take over the mechanical part without change.
The Zeekr 009 will serve as the basis for the Volvo minivan
If some are already considering that the electric could kill the SUV, we can also imagine the return to grace of the minivan. This will be the case at Volvo, which is preparing to launch an electric minivan. In China only.
The minivan does not represent a significant share of the Chinese market. Nevertheless, we have been witnessing for a few months a kind of rush on the part of local manufacturers in this segment, largely with electric models. Everyone wants to dethrone the king Buick GL8, not yet switched to electric, on a very symbolic but high value market, both in terms of price, but also of image. In China, the minivan is indeed distinguished in two sub-segments, that of ultra-economical models (Wuling Honguang, etc.), gone out of fashion, and that of high-end minivans for transporting VIPs.
To date, few foreign manufacturers are present in this market. There is of course Buick with its (or rather ses) GL8, Honda with the Odyssey and Elysion, Toyota with the Alphard, Lexus with the LM (LM350 / LM350h), clone of the aforementioned Toyota and Mercedes with the V-Class. In this herd, none is electric…
Read also
Report – Volvo EX90: what does the (very) large 100% electric SUV announce?
Things will change, since Volvo is probably preparing to launch a large electric minivan in China, a new segment for him. Even at the height of the minivan fashion in Europe, the Swedish manufacturer never ventured into this territory. New for the brand, but not really for the Geely group. This new Volvo would thus be directly derived from the Zeekr 009, whose production began a few days ago.
The 5.21m long Zeekr 009 is based on the SEA platform. The marketed versions have a choice of 116 or 140 kWh batteries. These are the famous Qilin from CATL which are also making their debut on the 001 crossover. Thus equipped, the range is 702 or 822 km in the CLTC cycle (around 550 or 650 km in the WLTP). An 86 kWh battery is also planned, as well as a two-wheel drive model. For the moment, only the four-wheel drive versions with two motors, for 400 kW and 686 Nm, are marketed. And despite its Norman cabinet look crossed with a Rolls-Royce, it displays an astonishing Cx of 0.27… The Volvo version should take over the mechanical part without change.
