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India Today
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
MG M9 review, first drive: An all-electric alternative to the Toyota Vellfire and Kia Carnival?
I'm not afraid to admit that I love a good van. The politically correct word here would be an MPV, or multi-purpose vehicle. Interestingly, it's a market segment in India that appears to be on the rise, piping the sedans, which honestly, feels a little sad. However, I have more compassion towards MPVs than I do towards some of the 'SUVs' in our market. That's because there's an honesty in their approach towards a consumer. It's meant to be a people carrier for paved roads, a crusader for commuters. MG's done a good job with the M9's front-end design. advertisementBut, as is the case with most things, some MPVs are equal than others. I'd broadly fit the Kia Carnival, Toyota Vellfire and Lexus LM in said category. Now, there's a new player added to the mix, and if the Windsor is anything to go by, they know a thing or two about EVs. What's more, there are diesel, hybrid and now electric offerings, which means the spoilt are spoilt for choice. So, what's the M9 all about and what does it have to offer? Let's kick things off with the design it look good?There's no denying the fact that the M9 is a large vehicle. In terms of dimensions, it's 5,270mm long, 1,840mm tall and 2,000mm wide. The wheelbase measures in at 3,200mm, which, as I said before, makes it big, bold and beautiful. There's understatedness to the overall design language, with minimal chrome inserts around the front, sides and rear. Up front, there's a significant trapezoidal grille, along with the radar for the Level 2 of ADAS present on the M9. There are sleek DRLs as well with the headlamps mounted down below, which is almost the norm of sorts these days. The M9 is a big car, big by even SUV standards, and its sleek design language is complementary. However, it's at the rear where things feel most well-settled in terms of looks. The waterfall-inspired design for the rear LED tail lamps looks lovely, and so does the 'M9 EV' badge. Also, there's a decent amount of boot space with all three rows up, and there's a neat 55-litre frunk, which happens to be a segment first. It's from the side that the M9 makes its presence felt. Those large electrically-operated doors make ingress and egress easy, and there's a large grab handle to aid this process. Since we're on the topic, let's first talk about the third row of third row?Once again, it's easy to get into the third row, thanks to the healthy space between the second row of captain seats. Underthigh support isn't great, and this is strictly a two-seater at the back, since there isn't a headrest for the middle seat. On the plus side, there is some distance between the headrests and the rear windshield. The third row of seats can swivel front and back with the help of a large handle. In terms of amenities, there are Type-A charging points, cup holders and phone storage spaces on each side, along with speakers. I would've appreciated a sun blind here as well, maybe a hinge-operated opening for the window itself like the Toyota Innova, which is another stalwart of the MPV space in India. All in all, it is compromised, as most third-row seats are, but it isn't too bad at are those ottoman seats?Time, though, for the real business end of the M9 - the second row. These are ottoman seats, which are 16-way adjustable, come with heated, cooled and massaging functions. There are eight different types of massage settings, which is great. What's not so great is the fact that the screen is rather tiny, and it, like a smartphone, has this swipe gesture to unlock, which gets cumbersome after the third or fourth time. The overall quality of the screen felt like a bit of a letdown. It also sits flat, making it difficult to use if the seats are reclined, and not very legible under direct sunlight. Also, the screen itself feels quite tiny, but one can always slide their armrest over it, which is a clever addition. That being said, there's plenty of control built into it, and that does make things better. In this case though, an arched system like the Vellfire works best. The ottoman seats offer great support and comfort. There were a few hits and misses though. advertisementThat neatly brings us along to the other issue, manual sunblinds, which honestly feels like a big miss for a big car like the M9. Its operation feels flimsy, and a discerning customer surely isn't expected to operate it themselves. That's pretty much it, though, everything else the M9 does with grace and panache. The brown leather feels upmarket, and the suede finish is a chef's kiss in my opinion. Small inserts in and around the cabin go a long way in enhancing the overarching feel significantly. There's also a foldable storage space for a wallet or a smaller phone in the armrest, along with Type-A and C charging points, too. The front passenger seat gets controls for 'boss mode'. advertisementThe M9 doesn't lack when it comes to storage spaces either. There's one under the 220V charging point, which will come in handy when storing magazines or other knick-knacks. Just like the third row, there are phone folders in the seat along with a fold-out cup holder, as well. The bottle holder on each of the doors felt it might not be able to hold a larger bottle. Apart from this, there's also an overhead console to control the sunshade and the fairly large dual-pane sunroof, along with the HVAC controls. Overhead console can be a bit of a reach if the seats are reclined. advertisementI also love the fact that there is a single-pane sunroof for the front passenger and driver as well. However, the 64-ambient lighting choice feels a bit gimmicky to me, and so does the panel on the roofliner. On the whole, the second-row experience is a luxurious one and won't disappoint most buyers looking for a comfortable, well-equipped MPV. There is one more aspect that needs attention, though. We're speaking about the experience from behind that pretty two-spoke steering it like to drive?Let's be honest for a moment, this isn't a driver's car, and the whole point is to be chauffeured around, but the seats are heated and cooled, and the driver's seat is 12-way adjustable, while the passenger here is 8-way adjustable. Both seats get a massage function as well, and there's loads of space here in the centre to store all kinds of things, and there's a wireless charger too, along with two Type-A ports. I also like the fact that there's a separate sunroof up in the front here, and the whole leather and suede treatment. What could've been larger is the 7-inch digital instrument console, but the 12.3-inch touchscreen is fine by me, although there are still some controls, like adjusting the drive modes or even regen. There's a 90kWh battery pack, which is a nickel-manganese-cobalt unit, meaning it should offer good energy density in a relatively small package. MG claims a range between 500-550km; there isn't an official figure yet, but what I've seen is that MG usually gets pretty close to what it claims. Power is sent to the front wheels via a motor mounted on the front axle capable of producing 245bhp and 350Nm of torque. Healthy numbers, especially considering that this weighs upwards of 2.5 tonnes. Still, though the push is good, especially in sport mode, and there are levels of regen and driving modes. Now, because this is electric, it elevates the premium quotient. Although this is a big thing to lug around, the turning radius is superb. It also feels stable and planted on the move, especially on the highway, but the ride at lower speeds does feel stiffer than I would've wanted in my luxury MPV. On the plus side, though, the fact that M9 is an electric only ups the premium quotient of the overall experience. Purely from a design standpoint, I love the minimalist and elegant layout for the dashboard, it's devoid and clutter and I appreciate that. Overall, I would give the driving experience a solid 8/10, which is pretty awesome for a large luxury tacks first. MG hasn't launched the M9 in the country yet, but bookings are open for an amount of Rs 51,000. This luxury EV MPV will be sold through MG Select, which will be a more elevated and premium showroom experience from the regular MG dealerships. The other car MG will sell from this new showroom format will be the Cyberster, which is on the cards, as well. Since this will be a CKD model, I expect pricing to be closer to the Carnival than the Vellfire, which is a good thing. I feel it should be a no-brainer for high-end fleet and hotel cabs, as charging it and running it will be more cost-effective. But, again, price will be a major factor. It's a great start for MG Select, though, imagine having an M9 for the work weekdays and Cyberster for letting loose on the to Auto Today Magazine- Ends
The Advertiser
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Australia's best-selling hybrids halfway through 2025
Toyota is still by far Australia's hybrid vehicle market leader, with just one of its hybrids alone – the RAV4 – outselling the number two and three hybrid auto brands so far this year. Only one other brand cracked five-digit hybrid deliveries in the first half of 2025, according to VFACTS sales data, and that was Hyundai. There are far fewer hybrid vehicles on sale in Australia than electric vehicles (EVs), but hybrids account for a larger share of new-car sales overall. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. A total of 93,746 hybrids (HEVs) were delivered during the first half of 2025, compared with 25,613 plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and 47,245 EVs. This means that of the total of 624,130 new vehicles delivered in Australia during the first six months of 2025, 15 per cent were hybrids, 7.6 per cent were EVs, and 4.1 per cent were PHEVs. Hybrid sales were up 14.9 per cent compared with the first half of 2024. Below is a chart listing all the brands that sell hybrids in Australia. Note this doesn't include PHEVs or mild-hybrids, though it does include Nissan's e-Power vehicles. Below is a chart listing all the hybrid models offered in Australia. A total of eight of the top 10 best-selling hybrids were produced by Toyota Motor Corporation, with the other two being Hyundais. The GWM Tank 500, Honda Accord, Lexus LM, Toyota C-HR and Toyota Tundra are exclusively offered with hybrid power. Where a model line also includes other powertrain types, we've calculated the percentage of sales the hybrid variants account for. There's also a caveat with other Toyotas that are listed in the table above. All Toyota model lines available with a hybrid powertrain lost their standard petrol-powered variants last year, though evidently there was still some leftover stock of certain petrol-only Toyotas. The Toyota Yaris and Corolla tallies also include the GR Yaris and GR Corolla. Lexus has also discontinued petrol-only versions of models like the ES, due to their high hybrid take-up rates. GM Australia and New Zealand splits out its Chevrolet Corvette delivery figures across separate Stingray, Z06 and E-Ray entries. Lump them all together, however, and just 3.9 per cent of Corvettes delivered in the first half of this year were E-Rays. MORE: Australia's best-selling EVs in the first half of 2025 Content originally sourced from: Toyota is still by far Australia's hybrid vehicle market leader, with just one of its hybrids alone – the RAV4 – outselling the number two and three hybrid auto brands so far this year. Only one other brand cracked five-digit hybrid deliveries in the first half of 2025, according to VFACTS sales data, and that was Hyundai. There are far fewer hybrid vehicles on sale in Australia than electric vehicles (EVs), but hybrids account for a larger share of new-car sales overall. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. A total of 93,746 hybrids (HEVs) were delivered during the first half of 2025, compared with 25,613 plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and 47,245 EVs. This means that of the total of 624,130 new vehicles delivered in Australia during the first six months of 2025, 15 per cent were hybrids, 7.6 per cent were EVs, and 4.1 per cent were PHEVs. Hybrid sales were up 14.9 per cent compared with the first half of 2024. Below is a chart listing all the brands that sell hybrids in Australia. Note this doesn't include PHEVs or mild-hybrids, though it does include Nissan's e-Power vehicles. Below is a chart listing all the hybrid models offered in Australia. A total of eight of the top 10 best-selling hybrids were produced by Toyota Motor Corporation, with the other two being Hyundais. The GWM Tank 500, Honda Accord, Lexus LM, Toyota C-HR and Toyota Tundra are exclusively offered with hybrid power. Where a model line also includes other powertrain types, we've calculated the percentage of sales the hybrid variants account for. There's also a caveat with other Toyotas that are listed in the table above. All Toyota model lines available with a hybrid powertrain lost their standard petrol-powered variants last year, though evidently there was still some leftover stock of certain petrol-only Toyotas. The Toyota Yaris and Corolla tallies also include the GR Yaris and GR Corolla. Lexus has also discontinued petrol-only versions of models like the ES, due to their high hybrid take-up rates. GM Australia and New Zealand splits out its Chevrolet Corvette delivery figures across separate Stingray, Z06 and E-Ray entries. Lump them all together, however, and just 3.9 per cent of Corvettes delivered in the first half of this year were E-Rays. MORE: Australia's best-selling EVs in the first half of 2025 Content originally sourced from: Toyota is still by far Australia's hybrid vehicle market leader, with just one of its hybrids alone – the RAV4 – outselling the number two and three hybrid auto brands so far this year. Only one other brand cracked five-digit hybrid deliveries in the first half of 2025, according to VFACTS sales data, and that was Hyundai. There are far fewer hybrid vehicles on sale in Australia than electric vehicles (EVs), but hybrids account for a larger share of new-car sales overall. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. A total of 93,746 hybrids (HEVs) were delivered during the first half of 2025, compared with 25,613 plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and 47,245 EVs. This means that of the total of 624,130 new vehicles delivered in Australia during the first six months of 2025, 15 per cent were hybrids, 7.6 per cent were EVs, and 4.1 per cent were PHEVs. Hybrid sales were up 14.9 per cent compared with the first half of 2024. Below is a chart listing all the brands that sell hybrids in Australia. Note this doesn't include PHEVs or mild-hybrids, though it does include Nissan's e-Power vehicles. Below is a chart listing all the hybrid models offered in Australia. A total of eight of the top 10 best-selling hybrids were produced by Toyota Motor Corporation, with the other two being Hyundais. The GWM Tank 500, Honda Accord, Lexus LM, Toyota C-HR and Toyota Tundra are exclusively offered with hybrid power. Where a model line also includes other powertrain types, we've calculated the percentage of sales the hybrid variants account for. There's also a caveat with other Toyotas that are listed in the table above. All Toyota model lines available with a hybrid powertrain lost their standard petrol-powered variants last year, though evidently there was still some leftover stock of certain petrol-only Toyotas. The Toyota Yaris and Corolla tallies also include the GR Yaris and GR Corolla. Lexus has also discontinued petrol-only versions of models like the ES, due to their high hybrid take-up rates. GM Australia and New Zealand splits out its Chevrolet Corvette delivery figures across separate Stingray, Z06 and E-Ray entries. Lump them all together, however, and just 3.9 per cent of Corvettes delivered in the first half of this year were E-Rays. MORE: Australia's best-selling EVs in the first half of 2025 Content originally sourced from: Toyota is still by far Australia's hybrid vehicle market leader, with just one of its hybrids alone – the RAV4 – outselling the number two and three hybrid auto brands so far this year. Only one other brand cracked five-digit hybrid deliveries in the first half of 2025, according to VFACTS sales data, and that was Hyundai. There are far fewer hybrid vehicles on sale in Australia than electric vehicles (EVs), but hybrids account for a larger share of new-car sales overall. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. A total of 93,746 hybrids (HEVs) were delivered during the first half of 2025, compared with 25,613 plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and 47,245 EVs. This means that of the total of 624,130 new vehicles delivered in Australia during the first six months of 2025, 15 per cent were hybrids, 7.6 per cent were EVs, and 4.1 per cent were PHEVs. Hybrid sales were up 14.9 per cent compared with the first half of 2024. Below is a chart listing all the brands that sell hybrids in Australia. Note this doesn't include PHEVs or mild-hybrids, though it does include Nissan's e-Power vehicles. Below is a chart listing all the hybrid models offered in Australia. A total of eight of the top 10 best-selling hybrids were produced by Toyota Motor Corporation, with the other two being Hyundais. The GWM Tank 500, Honda Accord, Lexus LM, Toyota C-HR and Toyota Tundra are exclusively offered with hybrid power. Where a model line also includes other powertrain types, we've calculated the percentage of sales the hybrid variants account for. There's also a caveat with other Toyotas that are listed in the table above. All Toyota model lines available with a hybrid powertrain lost their standard petrol-powered variants last year, though evidently there was still some leftover stock of certain petrol-only Toyotas. The Toyota Yaris and Corolla tallies also include the GR Yaris and GR Corolla. Lexus has also discontinued petrol-only versions of models like the ES, due to their high hybrid take-up rates. GM Australia and New Zealand splits out its Chevrolet Corvette delivery figures across separate Stingray, Z06 and E-Ray entries. Lump them all together, however, and just 3.9 per cent of Corvettes delivered in the first half of this year were E-Rays. MORE: Australia's best-selling EVs in the first half of 2025 Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
Australia's best-selling hybrids halfway through 2025
Toyota is still by far Australia's hybrid vehicle market leader, with just one of its hybrids alone – the RAV4 – outselling the number two and three hybrid auto brands so far this year. Only one other brand cracked five-digit hybrid deliveries in the first half of 2025, according to VFACTS sales data, and that was Hyundai. There are far fewer hybrid vehicles on sale in Australia than electric vehicles (EVs), but hybrids account for a larger share of new-car sales overall. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. A total of 93,746 hybrids (HEVs) were delivered during the first half of 2025, compared with 25,613 plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and 47,245 EVs. This means that of the total of 624,130 new vehicles delivered in Australia during the first six months of 2025, 15 per cent were hybrids, 7.6 per cent were EVs, and 4.1 per cent were PHEVs. Hybrid sales were up 14.9 per cent compared with the first half of 2024. Brands Below is a chart listing all the brands that sell hybrids in Australia. Note this doesn't include PHEVs or mild-hybrids, though it does include Nissan's e-Power vehicles. Models Below is a chart listing all the hybrid models offered in Australia. A total of eight of the top 10 best-selling hybrids were produced by Toyota Motor Corporation, with the other two being Hyundais. The GWM Tank 500, Honda Accord, Lexus LM, Toyota C-HR and Toyota Tundra are exclusively offered with hybrid power. Where a model line also includes other powertrain types, we've calculated the percentage of sales the hybrid variants account for. There's also a caveat with other Toyotas that are listed in the table above. All Toyota model lines available with a hybrid powertrain lost their standard petrol-powered variants last year, though evidently there was still some leftover stock of certain petrol-only Toyotas. The Toyota Yaris and Corolla tallies also include the GR Yaris and GR Corolla. Lexus has also discontinued petrol-only versions of models like the ES, due to their high hybrid take-up rates. GM Australia and New Zealand splits out its Chevrolet Corvette delivery figures across separate Stingray, Z06 and E-Ray entries. Lump them all together, however, and just 3.9 per cent of Corvettes delivered in the first half of this year were E-Rays.
Perth Now
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Australia's best-selling hybrids halfway through 2025
Toyota is still by far Australia's hybrid vehicle market leader, with just one of its hybrids alone – the RAV4 – outselling the number two and three hybrid auto brands so far this year. Only one other brand cracked five-digit hybrid deliveries in the first half of 2025, according to VFACTS sales data, and that was Hyundai. There are far fewer hybrid vehicles on sale in Australia than electric vehicles (EVs), but hybrids account for a larger share of new-car sales overall. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert A total of 93,746 hybrids (HEVs) were delivered during the first half of 2025, compared with 25,613 plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and 47,245 EVs. This means that of the total of 624,130 new vehicles delivered in Australia during the first six months of 2025, 15 per cent were hybrids, 7.6 per cent were EVs, and 4.1 per cent were PHEVs. Hybrid sales were up 14.9 per cent compared with the first half of 2024. Below is a chart listing all the brands that sell hybrids in Australia. Note this doesn't include PHEVs or mild-hybrids, though it does include Nissan's e-Power vehicles. Below is a chart listing all the hybrid models offered in Australia. A total of eight of the top 10 best-selling hybrids were produced by Toyota Motor Corporation, with the other two being Hyundais. The GWM Tank 500, Honda Accord, Lexus LM, Toyota C-HR and Toyota Tundra are exclusively offered with hybrid power. Where a model line also includes other powertrain types, we've calculated the percentage of sales the hybrid variants account for. There's also a caveat with other Toyotas that are listed in the table above. Supplied Credit: CarExpert All Toyota model lines available with a hybrid powertrain lost their standard petrol-powered variants last year, though evidently there was still some leftover stock of certain petrol-only Toyotas. The Toyota Yaris and Corolla tallies also include the GR Yaris and GR Corolla. Lexus has also discontinued petrol-only versions of models like the ES, due to their high hybrid take-up rates. GM Australia and New Zealand splits out its Chevrolet Corvette delivery figures across separate Stingray, Z06 and E-Ray entries. Lump them all together, however, and just 3.9 per cent of Corvettes delivered in the first half of this year were E-Rays. MORE: Australia's best-selling EVs in the first half of 2025
The Advertiser
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Look out, Lexus! Zeekr could offer Australia's most sumptuous people mover
Zeekr Australia wants to spice up the local people mover market by launching the ultra-luxurious 009 Grand Down Under, although its arrival is contingent on as-yet unconfirmed right-hand drive production. The standard 009 went on sale in Australia late last year, offered in either seven-seat or six-seat configurations, priced at $135,900 and $139,900 before on-road costs, respectively. Sales have gradually increased since launch – 66 have been sold this year to the end of June – although the Lexus LM (163 deliveries) and Mercedes-Benz V-Class (141) remain the preferred options in the premium people mover space. That hasn't stopped Zeekr's local team from enquiring about the Grand, which hit the Chinese market a few months ago at roughly double the price of the standard 009 variants. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We are exploring ways to launch it in Australia officially at the moment," Zeekr Australia marketing boss, Andrew Haurissa told local media in Sydney. "With the 009 present in the local market, that makes a compelling argument to have the Grand here." While the Grand would be welcomed to Australian showrooms, there's no guarantee it will be produced in right-hand drive at this stage. Zeekr is in the process of investigating the viability of a conversion for the Grand, which will be informed by the sales performance of other 009 variants across the globe. "The right-hand drive is here but only as a six- or seven-seater, we are investigating the possibility of the Grand, not only for Australia but for all right-hand drive market depending on customer needs and the business case," said Zeekr global product marketing director Tony Zhou. "The Grand version is a new variant that only launched in China a few months ago in left-hand drive. To convert from left- to right-hand drive takes time, including the product development, engineering and homologation. "We need a positive business case, which we are investigating now. The performance of the current versions will give us the confidence to deliver the Grand version, because the Grand is positioned much higher than current versions, which means the price will be much higher. "Just look at the price in China, it's around double the normal versions. Converting to right-hand drive the price will be much higher, how many customers will choose this one? And given the volume assumptions, what will be the business case?" Based on pricing in the Chinese market and the costs involved in readying a vehicle for sale in Australia, it would be reasonable to expect that the 009 Grand could retail for north of $250,000 locally, making it the most expensive people mover on sale. The 009 is one of two Zeekr models currently available in Australia, alongside the compact X electric SUV. Both will be joined by the larger 7X SUV later this year, with a further SUV offering to come in 2026. Mr Zhou says that the brand wants to avoid overcrowding its Australian showrooms at this early stage. "We need to consider the product lineup here, because we have two versions already, the X, and the 7X coming, we're going to have a new model next year, it's about whether the showrooms can contain so many variants," said Mr Zhou. Zeekr markets the 009 as a luxury people mover, but the Grand elevates that premium positioning to another level. For starters, the third row of seats has been deleted to maximise second row passenger legroom. Instead, the rear section houses a pair of airplane-style individual seats with 24-way electric adjustment, 12 zones of support, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. There's also a huge divider between the front and rear compartments, like the Lexus LM. The cabin is now trimmed in hand-polished stainless-steel elements and natural Himalayan marble, while entertainment is delivered through a 43-inch mini-LED screen and 31-speaker Yamaha sound system. VIP passengers can also enjoy full privacy courtesy of light curtain glass technology that offers adjustable window tinting, and ice-cold refreshments thanks to an 18-litre mini fridge. Like the base 009, the Grand features a dual-motor electric powertrain that can propel the people mover from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds in this application. Zeekr quotes 702km of driving range on the more optimistic CLTC testing cycle. MORE: Explore the Zeekr 009 showroom Content originally sourced from: Zeekr Australia wants to spice up the local people mover market by launching the ultra-luxurious 009 Grand Down Under, although its arrival is contingent on as-yet unconfirmed right-hand drive production. The standard 009 went on sale in Australia late last year, offered in either seven-seat or six-seat configurations, priced at $135,900 and $139,900 before on-road costs, respectively. Sales have gradually increased since launch – 66 have been sold this year to the end of June – although the Lexus LM (163 deliveries) and Mercedes-Benz V-Class (141) remain the preferred options in the premium people mover space. That hasn't stopped Zeekr's local team from enquiring about the Grand, which hit the Chinese market a few months ago at roughly double the price of the standard 009 variants. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We are exploring ways to launch it in Australia officially at the moment," Zeekr Australia marketing boss, Andrew Haurissa told local media in Sydney. "With the 009 present in the local market, that makes a compelling argument to have the Grand here." While the Grand would be welcomed to Australian showrooms, there's no guarantee it will be produced in right-hand drive at this stage. Zeekr is in the process of investigating the viability of a conversion for the Grand, which will be informed by the sales performance of other 009 variants across the globe. "The right-hand drive is here but only as a six- or seven-seater, we are investigating the possibility of the Grand, not only for Australia but for all right-hand drive market depending on customer needs and the business case," said Zeekr global product marketing director Tony Zhou. "The Grand version is a new variant that only launched in China a few months ago in left-hand drive. To convert from left- to right-hand drive takes time, including the product development, engineering and homologation. "We need a positive business case, which we are investigating now. The performance of the current versions will give us the confidence to deliver the Grand version, because the Grand is positioned much higher than current versions, which means the price will be much higher. "Just look at the price in China, it's around double the normal versions. Converting to right-hand drive the price will be much higher, how many customers will choose this one? And given the volume assumptions, what will be the business case?" Based on pricing in the Chinese market and the costs involved in readying a vehicle for sale in Australia, it would be reasonable to expect that the 009 Grand could retail for north of $250,000 locally, making it the most expensive people mover on sale. The 009 is one of two Zeekr models currently available in Australia, alongside the compact X electric SUV. Both will be joined by the larger 7X SUV later this year, with a further SUV offering to come in 2026. Mr Zhou says that the brand wants to avoid overcrowding its Australian showrooms at this early stage. "We need to consider the product lineup here, because we have two versions already, the X, and the 7X coming, we're going to have a new model next year, it's about whether the showrooms can contain so many variants," said Mr Zhou. Zeekr markets the 009 as a luxury people mover, but the Grand elevates that premium positioning to another level. For starters, the third row of seats has been deleted to maximise second row passenger legroom. Instead, the rear section houses a pair of airplane-style individual seats with 24-way electric adjustment, 12 zones of support, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. There's also a huge divider between the front and rear compartments, like the Lexus LM. The cabin is now trimmed in hand-polished stainless-steel elements and natural Himalayan marble, while entertainment is delivered through a 43-inch mini-LED screen and 31-speaker Yamaha sound system. VIP passengers can also enjoy full privacy courtesy of light curtain glass technology that offers adjustable window tinting, and ice-cold refreshments thanks to an 18-litre mini fridge. Like the base 009, the Grand features a dual-motor electric powertrain that can propel the people mover from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds in this application. Zeekr quotes 702km of driving range on the more optimistic CLTC testing cycle. MORE: Explore the Zeekr 009 showroom Content originally sourced from: Zeekr Australia wants to spice up the local people mover market by launching the ultra-luxurious 009 Grand Down Under, although its arrival is contingent on as-yet unconfirmed right-hand drive production. The standard 009 went on sale in Australia late last year, offered in either seven-seat or six-seat configurations, priced at $135,900 and $139,900 before on-road costs, respectively. Sales have gradually increased since launch – 66 have been sold this year to the end of June – although the Lexus LM (163 deliveries) and Mercedes-Benz V-Class (141) remain the preferred options in the premium people mover space. That hasn't stopped Zeekr's local team from enquiring about the Grand, which hit the Chinese market a few months ago at roughly double the price of the standard 009 variants. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We are exploring ways to launch it in Australia officially at the moment," Zeekr Australia marketing boss, Andrew Haurissa told local media in Sydney. "With the 009 present in the local market, that makes a compelling argument to have the Grand here." While the Grand would be welcomed to Australian showrooms, there's no guarantee it will be produced in right-hand drive at this stage. Zeekr is in the process of investigating the viability of a conversion for the Grand, which will be informed by the sales performance of other 009 variants across the globe. "The right-hand drive is here but only as a six- or seven-seater, we are investigating the possibility of the Grand, not only for Australia but for all right-hand drive market depending on customer needs and the business case," said Zeekr global product marketing director Tony Zhou. "The Grand version is a new variant that only launched in China a few months ago in left-hand drive. To convert from left- to right-hand drive takes time, including the product development, engineering and homologation. "We need a positive business case, which we are investigating now. The performance of the current versions will give us the confidence to deliver the Grand version, because the Grand is positioned much higher than current versions, which means the price will be much higher. "Just look at the price in China, it's around double the normal versions. Converting to right-hand drive the price will be much higher, how many customers will choose this one? And given the volume assumptions, what will be the business case?" Based on pricing in the Chinese market and the costs involved in readying a vehicle for sale in Australia, it would be reasonable to expect that the 009 Grand could retail for north of $250,000 locally, making it the most expensive people mover on sale. The 009 is one of two Zeekr models currently available in Australia, alongside the compact X electric SUV. Both will be joined by the larger 7X SUV later this year, with a further SUV offering to come in 2026. Mr Zhou says that the brand wants to avoid overcrowding its Australian showrooms at this early stage. "We need to consider the product lineup here, because we have two versions already, the X, and the 7X coming, we're going to have a new model next year, it's about whether the showrooms can contain so many variants," said Mr Zhou. Zeekr markets the 009 as a luxury people mover, but the Grand elevates that premium positioning to another level. For starters, the third row of seats has been deleted to maximise second row passenger legroom. Instead, the rear section houses a pair of airplane-style individual seats with 24-way electric adjustment, 12 zones of support, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. There's also a huge divider between the front and rear compartments, like the Lexus LM. The cabin is now trimmed in hand-polished stainless-steel elements and natural Himalayan marble, while entertainment is delivered through a 43-inch mini-LED screen and 31-speaker Yamaha sound system. VIP passengers can also enjoy full privacy courtesy of light curtain glass technology that offers adjustable window tinting, and ice-cold refreshments thanks to an 18-litre mini fridge. Like the base 009, the Grand features a dual-motor electric powertrain that can propel the people mover from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds in this application. Zeekr quotes 702km of driving range on the more optimistic CLTC testing cycle. MORE: Explore the Zeekr 009 showroom Content originally sourced from: Zeekr Australia wants to spice up the local people mover market by launching the ultra-luxurious 009 Grand Down Under, although its arrival is contingent on as-yet unconfirmed right-hand drive production. The standard 009 went on sale in Australia late last year, offered in either seven-seat or six-seat configurations, priced at $135,900 and $139,900 before on-road costs, respectively. Sales have gradually increased since launch – 66 have been sold this year to the end of June – although the Lexus LM (163 deliveries) and Mercedes-Benz V-Class (141) remain the preferred options in the premium people mover space. That hasn't stopped Zeekr's local team from enquiring about the Grand, which hit the Chinese market a few months ago at roughly double the price of the standard 009 variants. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We are exploring ways to launch it in Australia officially at the moment," Zeekr Australia marketing boss, Andrew Haurissa told local media in Sydney. "With the 009 present in the local market, that makes a compelling argument to have the Grand here." While the Grand would be welcomed to Australian showrooms, there's no guarantee it will be produced in right-hand drive at this stage. Zeekr is in the process of investigating the viability of a conversion for the Grand, which will be informed by the sales performance of other 009 variants across the globe. "The right-hand drive is here but only as a six- or seven-seater, we are investigating the possibility of the Grand, not only for Australia but for all right-hand drive market depending on customer needs and the business case," said Zeekr global product marketing director Tony Zhou. "The Grand version is a new variant that only launched in China a few months ago in left-hand drive. To convert from left- to right-hand drive takes time, including the product development, engineering and homologation. "We need a positive business case, which we are investigating now. The performance of the current versions will give us the confidence to deliver the Grand version, because the Grand is positioned much higher than current versions, which means the price will be much higher. "Just look at the price in China, it's around double the normal versions. Converting to right-hand drive the price will be much higher, how many customers will choose this one? And given the volume assumptions, what will be the business case?" Based on pricing in the Chinese market and the costs involved in readying a vehicle for sale in Australia, it would be reasonable to expect that the 009 Grand could retail for north of $250,000 locally, making it the most expensive people mover on sale. The 009 is one of two Zeekr models currently available in Australia, alongside the compact X electric SUV. Both will be joined by the larger 7X SUV later this year, with a further SUV offering to come in 2026. Mr Zhou says that the brand wants to avoid overcrowding its Australian showrooms at this early stage. "We need to consider the product lineup here, because we have two versions already, the X, and the 7X coming, we're going to have a new model next year, it's about whether the showrooms can contain so many variants," said Mr Zhou. Zeekr markets the 009 as a luxury people mover, but the Grand elevates that premium positioning to another level. For starters, the third row of seats has been deleted to maximise second row passenger legroom. Instead, the rear section houses a pair of airplane-style individual seats with 24-way electric adjustment, 12 zones of support, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. There's also a huge divider between the front and rear compartments, like the Lexus LM. The cabin is now trimmed in hand-polished stainless-steel elements and natural Himalayan marble, while entertainment is delivered through a 43-inch mini-LED screen and 31-speaker Yamaha sound system. VIP passengers can also enjoy full privacy courtesy of light curtain glass technology that offers adjustable window tinting, and ice-cold refreshments thanks to an 18-litre mini fridge. Like the base 009, the Grand features a dual-motor electric powertrain that can propel the people mover from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds in this application. Zeekr quotes 702km of driving range on the more optimistic CLTC testing cycle. MORE: Explore the Zeekr 009 showroom Content originally sourced from:
