On 12 June, Xpeng presented the model updates for the European versions of its G6 and G9 series. Now, almost four weeks later, the Chinese car manufacturer has officially launched sales. Deliveries of the two models, which are almost fully equipped ex works, are scheduled to begin in late summer. Both models can be ordered in France, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
Although the makeover has been quite extensive, the prices remain the same for the time being. The G6 SUV coupé, which competes against the Tesla Model Y, among others, and accelerates to 100 kph in 6.3 seconds, still costs 47,600 euros as a ‘Long Range’ version with rear-wheel drive, although some technical improvements have been made. The all-wheel drive performance model is 4,000 euros more expensive, but no performance data has yet been published for this version. Xpeng will not announce how much the entry-level version with the smaller 68.5 kWh battery will cost until later.
Under the bonnet of the 218 kW G6 RWD Long Range is the next generation of Xpeng’s 800-volt platform, which is equipped with new silicon carbide semiconductors, among other things. The update increases the charging speed of the standard LFP batteries from 3C to an impressive 5C. The Chinese car manufacturer specifies a maximum charging capacity of up to 451 kW for the G6. Currently, the most powerful DC charging points in this country can only charge at 400 kW, but providers such as Ionity want to change this in the course of this year. So you have to find the right charging station to fully utilise the capabilities of the G6.
According to the manufacturer, the charge level of the new 80.1 kWh battery can be increased from 10 to 80 per cent in just 12 minutes at a suitable charging station. However, lightning-fast charging processes are not the only advantage of the new power storage units; they also manage entirely without the critical raw materials cobalt, manganese and nickel. In addition, the service life is said to be up to 30 per cent longer compared to previous batteries. The WLTP range of the G6 Long Range has been reduced from 570 to 535 kilometres, but this should be compensated for by the shorter charging intervals.
The facelift was mainly of a technical nature; in terms of design, little has changed in the G6 apart from the new exterior colour ‘Stellar Purple’, a revised rear diffuser and a revised version of the LED light strip that runs across the entire front.
However, Xpeng emphasises that significantly higher-quality materials will be used in the interior in future. The cockpit as a whole has been redesigned, with a new driver’s display, a revised steering wheel, colour-contrasting accents and wood-look details, while smartphones can be integrated via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The situation is similar for Xpeng’s flagship G9, which still costs 59,600 euros in the basic version with rear-wheel drive after the update and also has newly developed LFP batteries. The exterior of the G9 remains unchanged, but the interior has been given a comfort upgrade, including a thermally insulating panoramic sunroof and new comfort seats with a ten-point massage function.
In the 4.89 metre long luxury SUV, which competes with the BMW iX, for example, the energy storage units are 79 or 93.1 kWh in size. The maximum range according to WLTP is 585 kilometres, meaning that the G9 Long Range, which costs 63,600 euros, can travel 15 kilometres further than before.
At a maximum of 525 kW, the charging power of the top model is even more impressive than that of its little brother, the G6. Although the batteries are slightly larger, charging the G9 from 10 to 80 per cent also takes 12 minutes. At the top of the range is the 423 kW G9 AWD Performance, which accelerates to 100 kph in 4.2 seconds despite its 2.4 tonnes of weight. The Chinese manufacturer is asking 72,600 euros for this version. All Xpeng G9 and G6 models are electronically limited at 200 kph.
xpeng.com
