Xpeng G6 and G9, new Chinese SUVs that focus on premium

After BYD and MG, say hello to Xpeng, the new Chinese manufacturer which is arriving in France with two electric cars: the Xpeng G6 and G9. Two SUVs that want to stand out with competitive prices, but also (and above all) with a premium approach. The brand also makes no secret of its desire to be perceived as the first high-end Chinese brand to hit our roads. Invited by the latter, we had the opportunity to discover these interesting machines on paper.

Cars that rely on technology

Xpeng’s spearhead is the G9. Marketed for the first time in 2022, this enormous SUV (4,891 x 1,937 x 1,680 mm) promises a comfortable range of 570 km (WLTP cycle) as well as fast charging up to 300kW. Thanks to its compatible silicon carbide structure 800V, the battery could go from 10 to 80% energy in just 20 minutes on a 280 kW DC outlet. The promise is the same for the G6, the other SUV presented during the press event.

Also, inside the car we find a 10-inch driver’s screen (25.4 cm screen diagonal), full NAPPA leather upholstery, a double ventilated induction charger, compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 15-inch passenger screen (38.1 cm screen diagonal) with a privacy filter so as not to distract the driver. Everything is powered by an Nvidia Orin-X chip.

From the latter, it will be possible to watch YouTube videos or even watch your favorite series in streaming. The front seats are also heated and ventilated, and it will be possible to activate the massage on 4 of the car’s seats. The music is expressed through 18 Dolby Atmos compatible and Dynaudio-branded speakers.

All Inclusive

An interesting point in Xpeng’s strategy is that its vehicles are equipped with many functions usually offered as options. For example, the G9 comes from the factory with a panoramic roof, a heat pump, an active grille shutter, frameless doors and Soft Closeretractable door handles, the possibility of connecting electrical equipment (V2L), an automatic tailgate, a 4G antenna for updates and key-less.

Numerous standard driving assistance systems (ADAS) are also present: keeping in the lane, maintaining the distance from other vehicles, etc. It is also possible to ask the car to park from the smartphone application, or to move it out of a narrow space. To achieve all this, the car relies on nearly 18 radars and cameras to “let the car react faster than you”.

To go even further, the firm offers the G9 in Performance version which provides four-wheel drive, double-chamber air suspensions for better driving comfort and allows you to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds (compared to 6.4 seconds for the Standard Range version).

Great ambitions for France

If the brand mainly communicated on the G9, the “small” G6 (4,753 x 1,920 x 1,650 mm) was also accessible to journalists. Although less supplied, it also has a good quality of finish and most of the technologies of the G9.

Although Xpeng has other types of vehicles in its catalog, the firm has decided to export only two SUVs to us, undoubtedly for the sake of performance. It aims to conquer 3% of the share of this market and hopes to sell nearly 2,000 units in 2024. With great pretensions on paper, the Xpeng have the possibility of tickling the best references on the market, both in terms of autonomy (Tesla Model X and Y, Mercedes EQE SUV, Cupra Born VZ XL, etc.) as well as comfort.

Pre-orders for the G6 and G9 (the entry ticket is €59,990) have been open since May, and the first deliveries are expected for July. Vehicles are guaranteed for 5 years or the first 120,000 kilometers and batteries for 8 years and 160,000 km. You can find them in one of the 35 dealerships which will be established by the end of the year in major cities in France (Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Lille, etc.). Note that these vehicles cannot benefit from the ecological bonus because they are assembled in China.