Zeekr 001 FR First Drive: The 1,265 HP Quad-Motor Electric Weapon with Tank Turn
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Ryo Tanaka
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When Chinese automaker Zeekr announced the 001 FR with Formula 1 champion Kimi Räikkönen serving as chief performance advisor, many western observers viewed it as an ambitious marketing stunt. How could a luxury shooting brake platform suddenly challenge the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and Tesla Model S Plaid on circuit?
One hot lap around the technical Ningbo International Circuit is all it takes to silence any lingering cynicism. The Zeekr 001 FR is not merely fast; it is a savagely capable, highly sophisticated precision track weapon.
Zeekr 001 FR High-Downforce Shooting Brake Profile📷 Picture courtesy of Zeekr Global Media
Quad-Motor Architecture: Four Silicon-Carbide E-Motors#
The engineering heart of the FR (which stands for 'Future Roads') is an in-house developed quad-motor powertrain. Rather than relying on dual motors with mechanical differentials, each wheel is driven by its own dedicated permanent-magnet synchronous motor with dual silicon-carbide inverters:
Front Motors: Dual e-motors producing 422 PS (310 kW)
Combined System Power: 1,265 PS (1,248 hp / 930 kW)
Total Torque: 1,280 Nm (944 lb-ft)
0–100 km/h (0–62 mph): 2.07 seconds (and 2.02 seconds with rollout)
Top Speed: 280 km/h (electronically governed)
Battery: 100 kWh CATL Qilin battery with 800V architecture (10% to 80% charge in 15 minutes)
“"Entering the high-speed hairpin, the quad-motor torque vectoring system adjusts power at each individual wheel every millisecond. The car rotates with the precision of a mid-engine touring car despite its 2.5-ton weight."”
The most dramatic demonstration of the quad-motor system is the 'Tank Turn' function. By counter-rotating the left and right wheel pairs simultaneously, the 5-meter-long wagon can rotate 360 degrees on its own axis on loose asphalt or gravel, requiring zero turning radius.
More importantly on track, the Zeekr ZVC (Zeekr Vectoring Control) acts as an invisible racing instructor. As you trail-brake toward the apex, the outside rear motor delivers positive drive while the inside rear motor applies regenerative drag. The resulting yaw rotation eliminates understeer, allowing you to get back to full throttle dozens of meters earlier than in conventional AWD sports sedans.
Zeekr did not cut corners on chassis hardware. Standard equipment includes:
Brakes: Massive AP Racing 10-piston forged front monobloc calipers paired with 420mm Brembo carbon-ceramic cross-drilled rotors and 4-piston rear calipers.
Suspension: KW V3 two-way adjustable coilovers with bespoke spring rates and anti-roll bars.
Aerodynamics: Carbon-fiber front splitter, carbon side skirts, rear aerodynamic diffuser, and a fixed carbon rear wing delivering real high-speed downforce.
Priced at approximately $142,000 (€138,000), the Zeekr 001 FR offers performance, braking endurance, and luxury craftsmanship that directly rivals European hyper-sedans commanding twice that figure. It proves that China's electric vehicle industry has matured from mass-market utility to undisputed performance excellence.
