Zeekr confirms Super Hybrid PHEV coming to Australia in 2026, 8X most likely candidate

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Hot on the heels of the release of sharp pricing for the Zeekr 7X battery electric (BEV) crossover—a Tesla Model Y rival—the Chinese luxury carmaker is planning to expand from BEVs to plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) in Australia.

Zeekr Australia’s new managing director, Frank Li, who simultaneously holds the appointment of vice president of Zeekr International, has been dispatched to run the local outfit from Sydney.

Li’s first big move as chief will be to broaden the Zeekr lineup from three BEVs to at least one ‘Super Hybrid’ PHEV in 2026. This will almost certainly be the as-yet unrevealed Zeekr 8X midsize to large SUV.

Also high on Zeekr’s consideration list is the 007GT BEV station wagon, a niche model that might appeal to today’s BMW 330i Touring or Audi A4 Avant customers who can’t stretch to a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo.

Li is also considering making a brash statement by bringing the Zeekr 9X to Australia. The 9X is China’s 5239mm-long answer to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, costing about AUD$150,000 in the Chinese market.

However, Li and other Zeekr executives are keenly aware that there are far more customers shopping in the sub-$100,000 midsize and large SUV segments, which is where the 8X will play.

Zeekr 8X PHEV firms as brand’s first hybrid for Australia 

The 8X is set to be revealed in late 2025 for an early 2026 launch, with spy shots revealing a boxy shape and the possibility of six seats. BEV and PHEV powertrains are planned for the new model.

“I will bring some demo cars to Australia to let media and customers review,” Frank Li, Zeekr Australia managing director (and head of Zeekr International) told Chasing Cars.

Renders of the Zeekr 8X have been sourced through Chinese social media site ‘Weibo’ via the user ‘SugarDesigns‘.

“A 007 GT is on the way. We will listen to customers [and ask], if this car comes, will you choose it? Are any adjustments needed? I will do the same thing for the 8X and the 9X as well, and then we will make a decision based on customer feedback,” said Li.

The 8X PHEV model would sit directly above the new 7X BEV, which has been priced from $57,900 plus on-road costs to directly target the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7, Volkswagen ID.4 and IM6.

8X more likely than 9X, but both under close consideration

Pressed on whether the 8X was the more likely Super Hybrid PHEV to come to Australia, compared to the extremely grand 9X (which is set to cost around $150,000 in China), Zeekr boss Li agreed.

“Regarding the volume perspective, the 8X definitely will have more [sales] volume than 9X.

“9X is an upper-large SUV. But regarding brand positioning, 9X is a product that shows what luxury is—like a halo car, like our 009 Grand. Both [9X and 8X] are great. It is hard to choose,” Li said.

A 2026 release window for the first hybrid was confirmed by Zeekr Australia’s head of ownership experience Matt McCroarey, who previously worked at Polestar.

“Do we bring in Super Hybrids, which Zeekr already has? We can guarantee there will be something that comes next year,” McCroarey told Chasing Cars.

Super Hybrid has become something of a generic trade name for plug-in hybrid (PHEV) cars with range exceeding 100km or thereabouts.

While the 9X would require heavy re-engineering in order for it to be built in right-hand drive (RHD), the 8X will likely be ready to go from the start. Like the 7X BEV, RHD is understood to have been part of the 8X plan.