If you missed part 1 of my Xpeng field trip at Auto Shanghai 2019, check it out here and then read on. As reported previously, Xpeng invited me to come to the Auto Shanghai show to see how well its electric G3 and P7 are being received in China.
There are plenty of misconceptions running around about Chinese car quality. But with many ancient artifacts that survived thousands of years buried in the elements, it’s no wonder the Chinese can also deliver the level of quality displayed at the 2019 Shanghai auto show. Is China getting closer to the US market in terms of quality with new, smarter EV startups? Everything I saw points to this, and I can see these companies making it out West within 5 years away or fewer.
G3
The G3 experience is obvious as soon as you step onboard. We went to the Xpeng Experience Center where a kind young gentleman showed me that the Xpeng G3 driving experience is everything. The quality was everything I would expect from a US or European car. The gentleman also demonstrated how the autoparking feature works, and we took a drive in the busy Shanghai streets.
The car handles well, without any accentuated gravity shifts typical with an SUV. Body rolls are minimal and the car’s interior is well thought out with great ergonomics. The exterior proportions are as pleasing as the vehicle is comfortable on the inside.
By now you are probably wondering what that strange looking apparatus is on top of the car. It is a multi-directional camera that gives its driver and passengers an overview of the outside world. It can take pictures and quick glances before opening doors, which can be practical if you cannot get out or if it rains. It can also be an added layer of security when parking in unfamiliar places.
I wondered how valuable both of these features are, the autoparking and 180-degree rotating camera, but after seeing local parking conditions, I immediately saw how it makes perfect sense in China.
A special thanks to the young gentleman who helped us with the demonstration and who noticed how much I love tea. He offered me some of the best white tea I have ever drunk.
Xpeng plans on delivering 10,000 units by the end of July and targets 40,000 by the end 2019, something we will keep a close eye on.
- Acceleration 0–50 km/h — 3.7 seconds
- 170 km/h (106 MPH) max speed
- 356 km (221 miles) NEDC driving range
- 47 kWh battery pack
- 140 kW/kg / 196 hp
- Level XPILOT 2.5 autonomous capacity
- Fast charging, 80% charged in 30 minutes
A happy customer is here to pick up his red G3. Asked why Xpeng, he said they answered all his needs in a smart, intelligent way.
Is Xpeng inspiring a new generation?
The Xpeng Experience Center, where people can come and see what the G3 is like, and soon the P7. Customers step behind here and pick up their car in a booth.
P7
The P7 is Xpeng’s second EV and is a handsome fully connected electric sedan. I’ve heard some of the general and specialized press liken it to a Tesla Model S, but I don’t see it, especially seeing it in person. In fact, it is one of the smoothest and most aesthetically modern EVs on the market. While there are the usual design cues, the P7 weighs in between a Model S and a Model 3. The P7 draws elegant flowing lines without any radical departures, offering an overall smooth and aerodynamic flow. It has no obvious aesthetic tricks to remind you are that you are looking at an Xpeng. It is much more sober than most of its Western counterparts.
P7 Quick Specs:
- Acceleration 0–100 km/h — 4 seconds
-
C-NCAP 5-star safety design standard
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Wheelbase 3m x Length 4.9m
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600+ km driving range NEDC
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Dual-motor 4WD
Xpeng premiered the Xpeng P7 “intelligent electric coupe” with some impressive specifications. The 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 MPH) is covered in 4 seconds, and the EV boasts over 600 km NEDC range (~373 miles). It is Level 3-ready when it comes to autonomous driving and almost ready for production, with deliveries targeted for the second quarter of 2020 in China out of Xpeng’s Zhaoqing factory.
Although the Shanghai press days were not public, the official unveiling of the P7 brought in over 5,000 orders less than 24 hours before public days started.
This is Xpeng’s second-generation smart car built on its SEPA hardware foundation, which combines the NVIDIA DRIVE Xavier system-on-a-chip (SoC) and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820A. The NVIDIA DRIVE Xavier system handles the autonomous features using Qualcomm’s latest automotive processor. With its scalable adaptive hardware architecture, the Xpeng’s XPILOT 3.0 autonomous driving system can be progressively implemented. Designed to meet China’s road conditions, the XPILOT 3.0 automates cruise control and most parking situations. I experienced the automated parking in and out of tight spots, which I can attest won’t be an issue any longer in almost any city.
Is Xpeng A Sign Of Things To Come For Electric Mobility Startups In China?
With 20 stores already opened and another 100 set to open by the end of 2019 in China, Xpeng is one of those stealthy, pragmatic, and deliberate new Chinese EV mobility startups taking its time to mature by delivering before it conquers.
Stay tuned for more on Xpeng and Auto Shanghai 2019, including interviews with Mr. He Xiaopeng, founder of Xpeng, and Carsten Breitfeld, Byton co-founder now at Iconiq.
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