ID Buzz competitor Zeekr Mix—mix of bulli and van

With the minibus Mix, Chinese Geely subsidiary Zeekr has set its sights firmly on the VW ID Buzz. The e-car made its debut in the new world at CES in Las Vegas.

Vans have never been particularly sexy, but they've usually been mega practical. After their heyday in the 90s and early 2000s, SUVs increasingly pushed the popular people carriers off the road. Now vans are experiencing a kind of renaissance. Especially from China, Korea, and Japan, stately luxury MPVs are pushing onto the market.

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One is celebrating its premiere in the new world these days. With the electric mini-bus Mix, Geely's subsidiary Zeekr seems to hit the mark at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The Americans have always loved practical minivans. Here in the western USA, the legendary VW Bulli once became an icon. And because Zeekr's first family transporter happens to look somewhat similar to the VW ID Buzz, hearts are flying to it here at the show.

At 4.69 meters (approx. 15,4 ft), it is almost as long as its counterpart from the North German Plain. The wheelbase (3 meters, 10 ft) and width (2 meters, 6,6 ft) also almost match the original Buzz, but at 1.78 meters (approx. 5,8 ft), the Zeekr is 15 centimeters flatter. Short overhangs and smooth surfaces blend into a modern mix that could also appeal on our roads.

High charging capacity

Technically, the distant relative of Volvo and Smart has much more to offer than just a modern shell. The new SEA-M platform (Sustainable Experience Architecture), in which Zeekr reportedly invested about one billion euros, is designed for an 800-volt charging architecture. Where ID Buzz customers charge with 400 volts and a maximum of 195 kW, the Mix powers new energy into the cells with up to 418 kW. There is a choice of a 76 kWh LFT battery, which according to Zeekr can refresh the charge from 10 to 80 percent in just under ten minutes, and a 102 kWh battery, which is expected to take about 15 minutes for the same.

The electric ranges are 550 and 705 kilometers (approx. 342 and 438 miles) according to the Chinese standard—which roughly corresponds to our urban consumption. The rear wheels are driven by a 421 hp electric machine, with a top speed of 180 km/h (approx. 112 mph) and a sprint of 6.2 seconds to 100 km/h (approx. 62 mph) listed on the datasheet. Those driving the Mix in the city are likely to experience a small maneuverability marvel. Thanks to a special axle, the front wheels can turn up to 50 percent, with the turning circle said to be five meters—comparable to that of a small car.

The Mix opens the doors wide

In the cockpit, the Zeekr Mix presents a face that we now recognize from many Chinese electric vehicles. Everything is almost antiseptically clean, tidy, and free from buttons and switches, with a sizable display in the center, and the interior is flooded with light thanks to a huge panoramic roof. While the ID Buzz relies on one or two side sliding doors, the brand from Hangzhou offers four electric doors. Since there is no B-pillar, the entrance portal is a generous 1.48 meters wide (approx. 4,9 ft wide). It feels like a Smart could drive through. The vehicle floor is only 39 centimeters high (approx. 15 in high), so children and elderly passengers can easily get in.

Studies suggest that Chinese people tend to stay in their cars for an average of up to 30 minutes after arriving home to enjoy the digital offerings. Accordingly, Zeekr has designed the Mix as a mobile living room. The front seats can rotate 270 degrees to form a seating area, and rails are embedded in the cabin floor on which a multifunctional box with a large table can be electrically moved. Excellent entertainment is a must, as are numerous standard driver assistance systems supported by Lidar, radar, and high-resolution cameras. Additionally, the Mix features an interface for steer-by-wire, which is important for future autonomous driving.

Waiting for the starting signal for Europe

In China, the electric Mix has already made a successful start. Since October, over 30,000 units have been sold, with the price list starting at the equivalent of around 37,000 euros (38.113,70 USD), and the version with a larger battery costing about 3,000 euros (3.090,30 USD) more. The market launch in the USA is said to be decided, and for the leap to Europe, Zeekr is currently waiting for the results of the Euro NCAP crash test. At the latest, it will also be said in Germany: The bus is coming.