Zeekr has signed on as the premium partner of the 2026 ChaiGu Tangsi Kuocang trail running race, with its Zeekr 8X large SUV serving as the event's official designated vehicle, according to PCauto. The partnership marks a deepening link between the automaker and China's outdoor sports scene, positioning the vehicle brand within the trail-running and outdoor-lifestyle community.
A grueling backdrop for a new SUV
The ChaiGu Tangsi Kuocang race, first held in 2015 in Linhai, Taizhou, Zhejiang province, has grown into one of China's most influential trail running events. The course is notoriously demanding, with the longest distance stretching 105 kilometres (65 miles), cumulative elevation gain of about 6,600 metres (21,654 feet), and a cut-off time approaching 30 hours. Such conditions, PCauto noted, provide a real-world stage for automakers to demonstrate vehicle capability in tough terrain and outdoor scenarios.
Zeekr said its technology and product strengths, including a full-stack 900V high-voltage architecture and its Haohan super hybrid system, were key reasons the race organizers chose the brand as a partner. The rugged mountain environment, long-distance course and high-intensity challenges demand vehicles with strong passability, reliability and adaptability to complex conditions.
Zeekr 8X specs and launch
The Zeekr 8X went on sale on April 17 this year in four variants, with a limited-time price range of 329,800 to 473,800 yuan (about $46,500 to $66,700), a Chinese guide price before taxes and incentives. The company said it received more than 10,000 firm orders within 29 minutes of launch.
Positioned as a large high-performance SUV, the 8X is built on the Haohan SEA-S super hybrid architecture (900V) and features a 2.0T plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system. It is offered with dual-motor and tri-motor configurations, with a claimed CLTC pure-electric range of up to 410 km (255 miles). That CLTC figure is roughly 15-20% more optimistic than the equivalent WLTP rating, which would be an estimated 328-349 km (204-217 miles). The top version accelerates from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 2.96 seconds.
The SUV also comes with dual-chamber air suspension, dual-valve CCD dampers, and a 48V active stabilizer bar as standard luxury equipment. The partnership with the trail race underscores Zeekr's broader strategy of aligning its products with endurance sports and outdoor lifestyles, as the brand continues to expand its lineup beyond its original battery-electric (BEV) focus.
