Zeekr takes Stockholm by storm, unveiling the new 9X Ultra AWD

Last week, Vogue Scandinavia and Zeekr hosted a launch evening at AIRA, the boatyard-inspired building designed by renowned Swedish architect Jonas Bohlin, a site of gastronomic excellence that has been awarded 2 Michelin stars for the superior elegance of its offering.

Originating from Gothenburg – where Zeekr’s global design centre, Zeekr Design, is based – the new 9X marks Zeekr’s foray into the luxury segment. With its cutting-edge engineering, intelligent technology, and the peerless comfort of its intricately designed interiors, Zeekr’s imposingly sized SUV is truly in a league of its own.

Zeekr's Nordic PR and Brand Communications Manager, Tobias Joelsson, welcomed guests before thanking Pi Le, co-founder and head chef at AIRA, who hinted at the bespoke menu that would be served. Zeekr Europe’s CEO, Lothar Schupet, then took to the stage to speak with Vogue Scandinavia’s acting managing editor, Josefin Forsberg. “We are a young brand, only five years old,” Schupet said. “But we already have almost a million cars on the street, and have launched more than 10 models globally.”

Related: Zeekr is redefining the luxury design playbook with its new SUV

Defining Zeekr 9X’s attributes, including Zeekr’s Super Hybrid Technology and 900 horsepower, Schupet explained that the car’s origins began by benchmarking not only against the industry, but outside it – looking beyond, to aviation and the arts, to find a completely different way of thinking. “That's why I always say it’s not just a car, it's a new class of luxury, which is superior to what you find.”

Guests were treated to a veritable moveable feast, created especially for the evening by AIRA’s Executive Head Chef, Timothée Martin-Nadaud. Canapés included beef tartare with grilled tallow and wild garlic, beignets with Wrångebäcksost and truffle, as well as grilled lobster with Sichuan pepper, and AIRA’s signature tartlet of Norway lobster, dill and lemon. Rounding off the evening were mini madeleines, still warm, with preserved flowers, and a confectionery of marmalade, mandarin orange, and Sichuan pepper.

Schupet then invited guests to take umbrellas and step outside for the grand reveal, where a smoke-filled, music-accompanied light show heralded the vehicle’s unveiling. Under a suitably dramatic sky, Zeekr Design's Head of Brand Design, Gustaf Gunér, and Head of Exterior Design, Jon Rådbrink, talked guests through every feature of the car – from the captain seats, NAIM sound system with 32 speakers, to the memorable fridge compartment which can both heat and freeze – and which Schupet had earlier joked could “keep your sorbet cool, or heat your crème brûlée”.

Suitably, for the evening, Zeekr 9X has even been tested underwater, in one-meter-deep mud, but while the heavens opened up, the rain did not dampen any spirits, as many guests chose to stay outdoors, either admiring the vehicle from the outside, or climbing into the car to test out its aforementioned properties.

Inside, guests sipped on the evening’s signature espresso martini cocktail, as singer-songwriter Olga Myko (whose hit "Who's That Calling” has virally taken over 2026) and her band delivered a surge of musical horsepower from the stage, getting guests dancing before DJ Eka Scratch took over the entertainment duties.

Though the setting was dramatically Scandi Noir-coded, the evening at AIRA was a glimmering beacon in the dark – whether from the shine of the Zeekr 9X’s headlights, or the warm glow emanating from AIRA’s sculptural windows. As Schupet mentioned on stage, luxury is increasingly defined not by what you own, but by how something makes you feel. If the Zeekr 9X’s launch event is anything to go by, luxury by Zeekr is able to make you feel absolutely excellent – come rain, or shine.

See all the photos from the Zeekr 9X launch event below, and click here to dwell a little longer on the luxurious SUV.