The Zeekr 001 crash test demonstrated exceptional stability of the body frame during a frontal impact on a deformable barrier at a speed of 64 km/h. In tests carried out under the Euro NCAP protocol, the Chinese electric car scored a maximum of 97% for the protection of adult occupants, which confirms the use of high-strength steels and the sophisticated architecture of the SEA platform. The deformation of the front end of the vehicle was predictable and controlled, effectively absorbing impact energy without allowing critical intrusion into the interior.
Test results Zeekr 001 became one of the best in the history of testing electric cross-coupes. Engineers managed to ensure stable operation of passive safety systems even with offset impacts, which are traditionally the most dangerous for drivers. A key success factor was the rigidity of the central part of the body and the precise tuning of the airbags.
It's important to note that battery safety upon impact was also tested at the highest level. After the crash test, no electrolyte leaks, short circuits or fires were recorded, which is a critical indicator for modern electric vehicles. The battery management system instantly broke the high-voltage circuits, eliminating the risk of electric shock.
Test report and Euro NCAP methodology
Security assessment Zeekr 001 was carried out in accordance with the updated and more stringent Euro NCAP requirements, effective from 2023. The methodology includes four main categories: adult protection, child protection, vulnerable road user protection and safety assistance systems. To receive five stars, you must score high points in all categories and equip the car with a standard package of assistants.
Testing included a series of frontal and side impacts, as well as pole crash tests. Particular attention was paid to the work eCall systems, which should automatically transmit coordinates and data on the severity of the accident to rescue services. In the case of Zeekr 001 all telemetry data was transmitted correctly and in full.
- 🚗 Frontal impact on a deformable barrier (MPDB) at a speed of 50 km/h.
- 🚙 Side impact with a Mobile Progressive Deformable Barrier at a speed of 50 km/h.
- 🚧 Hitting a pole at a speed of 32 km/h (side collision).
- 🏃 Tests to prevent collisions with pedestrians and cyclists.
⚠️ Attention: Crash test results are relevant to the specific vehicle specification. Modifications with different rims or modified suspension geometry can show excellent results.
Protection of adult occupants and interior integrity
When analyzing the protection of adult occupants, experts noted minimal load on the chest of the driver dummy in all types of collisions. Airbags, including the center airbag between the driver and front passenger, worked synchronously and prevented dangerous contact between the heads of the mannequins. This is especially important in side impacts, where the risk of occupants' heads hitting each other is greatest.
The driver's and front passenger's footwells remained stable, although some scenarios resulted in knee contact with the dashboard elements. However, the level of load on the lower extremities remained within the “green” zone, which means a low risk of fractures. Seat belt effectively held the dummy, preventing the effect of “diving” under the strap.
☑️ Criteria for assessing the protection of adults
The work deserves special attention emergency shutdown systems high voltage battery. Immediately after the impact, the contacts open and the voltage in the on-board network drops to a safe level. This eliminates the risk of fire or electric shock for rescuers working with the vehicle after an accident.
Child safety and installation of child seats
Child protection category in Zeekr 001 also received high marks for the well-thought-out design of the rear row of seats. The vehicle is equipped with mounts ISOFIX on the outer rear seats, which are easily accessible and allow the child seat to be securely secured. Tests with 18 kg and 35 kg dummies showed good head and neck support in the event of a side impact.
During a frontal collision, the load on the child's neck was minimal, and the displacement of the seat relative to the body did not exceed permissible limits. Experts praised the ability to install a rear-facing child seat in the front passenger seat as long as the airbag is disabled, although this is not a recommended practice.
| Test parameter | Evaluation | Expert commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Frontal impact (18 kg) | High | Minimal strain on the neck |
| Side impact (18 kg) | High | Good lateral support |
| Frontal impact (35 kg) | Average | Slight head tilt forward |
| ISOFIX installation | Excellent | Easy access and fixation |
It is important to set it up correctly occupancy sensors seats so that the safety system correctly detects the presence of a child in the seat. B Zeekr 001 the electronics automatically adapt the operation of the airbags and seat belt pretensioners depending on the passenger's weight.
Features of testing children's mannequins
The tests use Q series dummies, which are equipped with a complex sensor system. They measure the load on the cervical vertebrae, chest and abdomen. For the Zeekr 001, the child's head displacement was within the acceptable range even in severe side impacts with a pole.
Protecting vulnerable road users
Massive hood and front bumper Zeekr 001 designed to meet pedestrian protection requirements. The area of the hood and windshield has a sufficient deformation gap, which makes it possible to soften the impact of the pedestrian dummy's head on rigid structural elements. Tests have shown a high level of protection in the central and side areas of the hood.
Automatic braking system AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking) effectively recognizes pedestrians and cyclists during the day and at night. In intersection scenarios, the vehicle successfully avoided collisions at speeds up to 60 km/h and significantly reduced impact forces at higher speeds.
- 🚶 High marks for protecting the pedestrian's pelvic area and legs in the event of a collision.
- 🚲 Effective recognition of cyclists by radar and camera systems.
- 🌙 Excellent performance of the night mode for pedestrian detection.
⚠️ Attention: Despite the high AEB performance, the system is auxiliary. The driver must remain focused and not rely entirely on electronics.
Safety assistants and active systems
Electronic filling Zeekr 001 includes a wide range of active safety systems that have become standard for achieving five stars. Lane Keeping Assist takes center stage LKA (Lane Keep Assist), which gently but persistently returns the car to the track in the event of an accidental exit.
The driver fatigue monitoring system analyzes driving behavior and recommends taking a break if necessary. A complex of cameras and radars provides all-round visibility and warns of blind spots, which is especially important for a large shooting brake body.
For proper operation of security systems, regularly clean the sensors and cameras on the windshield and bumpers from dirt, snow and insects.
Adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go function is able to completely stop the car in a traffic jam and resume driving. All these systems work in conjunction to create a protective perimeter around the car. The software is constantly updated, improving algorithms for reacting to traffic conditions.
Design features and body materials
At the core Zeekr 001 lies a modular platform SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture), developed by Geely. This architecture was originally designed taking into account the stringent safety requirements of electric cars. The proportion of high-strength steels and aluminum alloys in the body structure exceeds 70%, which ensures incredible torsional rigidity.
The battery, integrated into the floor, acts as a load-bearing structural element, increasing the overall torsional rigidity of the body. This not only improves handling, but also protects the battery cells in side impacts. Special profiles along the sills take the brunt of the impact, diverting energy away from the passenger compartment.
The high rigidity of the Zeekr 001 body is a key factor in providing maximum scores for protection of adults and children in crash tests.
Programmable crumple zones at the front and rear are designed to collapse predictably, absorbing the kinetic energy of an impact. This prevents excess overloads from being transferred to the compartment. Usage aluminum side members helps reduce front end weight, reducing inertia during a collision.
Final conclusions and comparison with competitors
Based on the results of all tests Zeekr 001 has established itself as one of the safest cars in its class. Its score of 97% for adult protection puts it on par with industry leaders such as the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan. The Chinese manufacturer has proven that it is capable of creating products that meet the most stringent European standards.
Buyers can be confident in the reliability of the design and the effectiveness of the security systems. High scores for protection of vulnerable road users and advanced driver assistance make this electric car an attractive choice for family use. Safety in Zeekr 001 is not an option, it is a basic feature of the platform.
What is the overall score of Zeekr 001 in Euro NCAP?
The Zeekr 001 has a high overall score, corresponding to a maximum rating of 5 stars. The exact numbers may vary depending on the year of testing and the specific specification, but adult protection was 97%, one of the best rates in test history.
Is there a risk of the battery catching fire if hit?
During crash tests and subsequent inspections, the risk of fire in the Zeekr 001 battery was assessed as minimal. The safety system instantly turns off high-voltage circuits, and the design of the battery pack protects the cells from mechanical damage and thermal runaway.
How effective is the AEB system in Zeekr 001?
The Zeekr 001's Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system has performed extremely well, successfully preventing collisions with pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles across a wide range of speeds and lighting conditions.