Ceer Exobot sedan and SUV are Saudi Arabia's first locally made EVs

Ceer, Saudi Arabia's first domestic automaker, has unveiled its two launch vehicles: the Exobot sedan and SUV, both of which feature eye-catching styling that make the cancelled-at-the-last-minute Honda 0 Series seem like shrinking violets. 

Key to the outlandish design is a steeply raked windscreen, which has an inclination angle of just 15 degrees. The 2.4m long windscreen is also claimed to be the largest fitted to a production vehicle.

The gullwing (sorry, Shahin Wing) doors on each side measure 3m long, and feature a lower glass panel that can be set to tinted or opaque at the touch of a button.

Things don't become any more traditional when you step inside. There's a yoke-style steering wheel connected to a steer-by-wire system, behind which is a 48-inch 8K instrumentation and infotainment display slung out between the A-pillars. 

A 10.4-inch portrait touchscreen houses most of the car's controls, although there's a bank of physical switches and buttons on the centre console, as well as physical buttons on the steering wheel. Rear seat occupants have access to an 8.0-inch touchscreen.

Between the doors and windscreen, the Exobot sedan and SUV have a large amount of glass, which is probably less than ideal given Saudi Arabia's climate. Ceer claims the cars reduce solar heat gain via "special foils and heating and demist through triple silver-coated glass", and that its Halo Cooling setup, with dual front and rear air conditioning systems, can reduce interior temperatures from 65 to 32 degrees Celsius in 10 minutes.

Measuring 5260mm long, 2102mm wide, 1428mm tall and riding on a 3200mm wheelbase, the Exobot sedan is a big car for a big country. Despite its length, the sedan's boot can only carry 424L worth of luggage with the seats up, or 1007L when they're folded down. 

The SUV, which measures 5016mm long, 2101mm wide, 1693mm tall and has a 3200mm wheelbase, has a slightly more compact footprint. Again, boot space is a relatively compact 402L with the rear seats in place, and 1091L when they're folded down.

In both Plus and First Edition guises, the Exobot is equipped with a three-motor all-wheel drive system generating a total of 634kW and 1000Nm, all of which is powered by a 112kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery pack.

Ceer claims the sedan needs 2.6s to complete the 0-100km/h dash, and has a driving range of 670km under the generous NEDC standard. 

The SUV is said to have a 0-100km/h time of 2.9s, and a 560km NEDC driving range. Both the sedan and SUV support AC charging up to 11kW and DC fast charging up to 250kW.

Later on top-spec versions of the Exobot are said to be equipped with a tri-motor setup making 828kW and 1500Nm. In this sedan the drivetrain is said to be good for a 0-100km/h time of 2.1 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h. The taller and less aerodynamic SUV requires 2.4s to bring up the century, and the top speed is just 210km/h.

Pricing and a firm dates for availability have yet to be announced, but both Exobot models will be made at the company's factory in  King Abdullah Economic City, which is about 120km north of Jeddah on the shores of the Red Sea.

Founded in 2022, Ceer is a joint venture between Foxconn, the tech firm responsible for building the Apple iPhone and Sony PlayStation, and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). Among PIF's vast array of holdings are Electronic Arts, soccer club Newcastle United of the English Premier League, and, until earlier this year, the breakaway LIV Golf league. 

Ceer has committed to achieving 45 per cent local content by 2034, and plans to launch a further five models between 2028 and 2030. Some of these will be offered with plug-in hybrid and pure petrol drivetrains.