Chinese electric vehicle maker Zeekr is developing a new sport utility vehicle known as the Zeekr 9S, internally codenamed “Orca,” according to a report by local automotive media outlet Auto Home.
The model is positioned as a more performance-oriented alternative to the Zeekr 9X and could make its debut as early as January 2026, with a market launch expected by the end of the first quarter, the report said. Pricing is estimated to start at around 450,000 yuan ($64,230), below the average transaction price of approximately 538,000 yuan for the Zeekr 9X.
The Zeekr 9X, which launched on Sept. 29, is the company’s first hybrid SUV and carries a starting price of 465,900 yuan. According to Auto Home, the upcoming 9S will be smaller than the 9X and positioned with a stronger focus on sporty performance.
The 9S is expected to be built on Zeekr’s SEA-S hybrid architecture and classified as a mid-to-large SUV. The top-tier version is expected to feature a tri-motor powertrain and support 6C ultra-fast charging, the report said.
This marks the first formal mention of the Zeekr 9S name. Earlier this month, several automotive bloggers in China shared spy images on social media platform Weibo, identifying the vehicle as the Zeekr 8X.
Another domestic outlet, Yiche, reported on Dec. 3 that the Zeekr 8X is expected to debut in the first quarter of next year, with pricing starting around 400,000 yuan and a core sales range between 450,000 yuan and 500,000 yuan.
Zeekr first referenced the 8X hybrid SUV during a conference call in May, when the company said the model was scheduled for launch in the fourth quarter of this year. That timeline was later pushed back as the automaker prioritized updates to several existing models in the second half of the year.