Chinese electric offensive: New Zeekr 7GT conquers Europe with over 4,000 pre-orders
The European electric vehicle market is undergoing a massive reconfiguration, and Chinese manufacturers no longer just want a slice of the pie, but seem ready to change the rules of the premium game forever. The latest example comes from Zeekr, the luxury electric mobility brand owned by the giant Geely (which also owns big names like Volvo, Polestar and Lotus). The Asians have reported a resounding success for the latest model in the range, the Zeekr 7GT, with over 4,000 pre-orders already registered in Europe shortly after the lists opened.
Launched earlier this year at the Brussels Motor Show, this boldly designed Grand Tourer/Shooting Brake was officially unveiled in Romania in early April. The model promises supercar specifications at prices that make the big European manufacturers look over their shoulders with some concern.
800V architecture and physics-defying performance
The new Zeekr 7GT is built on an advanced 800-volt architecture, which translates into record-breaking charging speeds. The battery can absorb energy with a power of up to 480 kW in direct current (at compatible stations), being able to go from 10% to 80% in just 13 minutes.
Customers in Romania can opt for three distinct versions, adapted either for maximum autonomy or for raw performance:
| Version | Power (hp) | Battery (kWh) | Range (WLTP) | Acceleration (0-100 km/h) | Starting Price (incl. VAT) |
| Core RWD | 421 hp | 75 kWh | 519 km | ~5.4 s | €46,490 |
| Long Range RWD | 421 hp | 100 kWh | 655 km | ~5.4 s | €53,890 |
| Privilege AWD | 646 hp | 100 kWh | 558 km | 3.3 s | €60,490 |
The mid-range version (Long Range RWD) excels in autonomy, offering the longest range in the range (up to 655 kilometers on a single charge). On the other hand, the top of the range (Privilege AWD) puts to the test an arsenal of 646 HP and all-wheel drive, capable of propelling the car to 100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds — a performance worthy of racing circuits, but integrated into an extremely practical body for everyday life.
How many units were actually sold in Romania?
Despite the huge wave of enthusiasm and the thousands of orders accumulated at the continental level, the reality on the ground shows us that in Romania, actual sales are currently at a symbolic level.
Local registration situation: As a brand that has recently entered the domestic market (through the BADSI import network), official deliveries to customers in the country are just taking their first steps. According to official statistical data on registrations in the first months of the year, the Zeekr brand — along with other newcomers from China, such as Leapmotor — registered less than 30 units in total nationwide.
This low number is absolutely natural for a model that only physically debuted in showrooms in the country in April. The first units that arrived were intended for the test-drive fleet and media presentations. Most of the cars ordered by Romanian customers are currently in the transport flow or in the pre-order phase, with registration figures expected to increase noticeably in the second half of the year.
A global expansion at a marathon pace
The pace at which Zeekr is evolving is truly astonishing. In just three years since its founding, the Asian brand's portfolio has already grown to include 4 competitive models (Zeekr 001, Zeekr X, Zeekr 7X and the new 7GT), quickly managing to cover key segments demanded by the global public.
Moreover, the brand's globalization strategy is unfolding at breakneck speed. Zeekr is currently present in 16 international markets and continues to expand its network at a mathematical pace, adding a new country to the map on average every two months. It remains to be seen whether the Romanian public, historically known for its attachment to traditional German premium brands, will be convinced in the long term by this Chinese recipe based on cutting-edge technology and extremely competitive prices.