Zeekr 8X Carries Naim Beyond Bentley as Beijing Goes Big

That’s where things get interesting. Naim’s system in the 9X is specified with 32 drivers, 40 amplifier channels, and a peak output of up to 3868W (yes, 3868 watts!), alongside support for high-resolution audio, Dolby Atmos, and active noise reduction. It also incorporates seat-integrated transducers and multi-zone listening modes, putting it among the more complex factory-installed systems currently offered in a production car.

Full specifications for the 8X are still to come, but the expectation is that it carries over elements of that architecture and tuning approach rather than simply mirroring the 9X outright. Either way, it continues Naim’s move beyond its long-standing association with Bentley into a wider spread of premium vehicles.

Beyond the audio, the 8X sits squarely in large-SUV territory. Reported dimensions are 5100mm long, 1998mm wide and 1780mm high on a 3069mm wheelbase, placing it in the same general class as large European SUVs, think Audi Q7 and BMW X5 and so on, albeit without a third row.

Powertrain details point to a 205kW 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with up to three electric motors, with total system output reported at up to 1030kW in top-spec variants, a notably high figure for a production SUV! Claimed combined driving range is up to 1416km on the CLTC cycle, which is an optimistic test standard, but still points to a very long-range plug-in hybrid setup.

Inside, the 8X follows the direction established by the 9X, with a large front display layout, a dedicated passenger screen and a roof-mounted rear entertainment display. It’s expected to launch in China in the second quarter of 2026, suggesting this is very much a near-term production model rather than something further down the track.

The 8X also sits within an expanded international push from Zeekr. Australia has already been confirmed as one destination, while the company has indicated it plans to expand further into Europe later this year. That includes consideration of hybrid models for the region. While this doesn’t confirm the 8X for Europe specifically, it does give the model a wider context beyond its home market.

Timing-wise, this all lands just as the 2026 Beijing Auto Show gets ready to open its doors this week. The event runs from April 24 to May 3 and is expected to span around 380,000 square metres, with 1,451 vehicles on display, making it one of the largest automotive exhibitions globally this year.

Zeekr is expected to use that stage to position both the 8X and 9X at the upper end of its lineup, with in-car technology, cabin design and audio systems forming a central part of that presentation.

StereoAUTO will be following developments from Beijing, with a focus on how premium audio partnerships continue to evolve across new EV and PHEV flagships.

For more information visit Naim Audio