Xpeng G9 electric SUV: Everything you need to know

The Xpeng G9, the brand’s fourth production model, is not just any Chinese EV. For one, it packs the most advanced ultra-fast charging technology commercialized to date which makes it the world’s fastest-charging EV. Many other innovations in the new flagship Xpeng could help it become a game-changer for the brand at home and globally. Here’s everything you need to know about the G9:

Design

The G9 is positioned in the medium- to large-sized smart electric SUV market. It is unmistakably an SUV counterpart of the Xpeng P7 sedan. At the front, it features the signature full-width, ultra-slim DRL strip on the top, separate headlights, which integrate two LiDAR sensors, a smooth mask in place of a traditional radiator grille, a mesh-pattern lower air intake, and an elegantly designed bonnet.

From the sides, the G9 has a sleek greenhouse, neatly designed door panels with smooth surfacing and flush-fit handles, and chunky five-spoke 21-inch alloy wheels. At the rear, the G9 again mimics the looks of the P7, with full-width tail lamps and block-lettered ‘XPENG’ branding. However, the tail lamps look bigger on the SUV.

Interior

The Xpeng G9 has a premium interior with a lot of digital real estate. It’s a five-seat SUV with three free-standing displays on the dashboard. One of the displays is a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and it’s tucked in to reduce sun glare. The other two displays are larger and clubbed to look like a single, 14.96-inch display. The left-side unit is the infotainment display, while the right-side unit is a secondary, 14.96-inch passenger display, which is a trending feature in new luxury models.

The dashboard is sleek and has a wraparound design, which increases the sense of spaciousness. A curved, bridge-type center console swiftly connects to this dashboard. It integrates a slim and wide AC vent and two cup holders and has two smartphone chargers as well. There’s an open storage area below where customers can keep a small grocery bag, rest a tablet, or sync/charge their device. The flat-bottomed, two-spoke steering wheel goes well with the minimalist theme.

ADAS

The XPilot 2.5 ADAS suite is standard in the Euro-spec G9, and it works using the NVIDIA Orin-X processor, 5 high-definition millimeter-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, 4 surround-view cameras, 7 high-perception cameras, and 1 in-car camera.

Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centering Control, Adaptive Turning Cruise, Active Lane Change and Automatic Speed Limiter are part of the XPilot Driving features. Then there’s XPilot Parking, which includes Enhanced Auto Parking Assist, Auto Exit Parking Assist, parking assist with 360º camera, and Transparent Chassis. Lastly, there’s a long list of safety features:

• Forward Distance Monitoring
• Traffic Sign Recognition
• Speed Assistant System
• Intelligent High Beam
• Driver State Monitoring
• Blind Spot Detection
• Door Open Warning
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keep Assistance
• Emergency Lane Keeping
• Rear Collision Warning
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

The G9 is China’s first model implementing a Gigabit Ethernet communications architecture. In the coming months, it will become the company’s first model with XPILOT 4.0, which will enable full-scenario-assisted driving from vehicle start-up to parking. Thanks to the Gigabit Ethernet communications architecture, a firmware OTA upgrade will take as little as just half an hour.

Built on a new-generation hardware platform, XPILOT 4.0 will have a significantly higher perception capability and deliver full-scenario driver assistance. The fourth version of Xpeng Motor’s driving assistance system will have 508 TOPS ECU computing power. Two NVIDIA Drive Orin autonomous driving SoCs, an 8 million-pixel front-view binocular camera and 2.9 million-pixel side-view cameras, and a highly integrated and expandable domain controller will be part of the new hardware.

On a side note, Xpeng Motors is working on XPILOT 5.0 as well. The fifth version will mark the shift from advanced assisted driving to autonomous driving. The company has finished the overall structural design of XPILOT 5.0, but we don’t expect a commercial launch for about two years.

Platform

Xpeng Motors wants to amplify its presence in China’s mid-to high-segment EV market. The Xpeng G3/G3i is a compact SUV, while the Xpeng G9 is a mid-size SUV. The company’s ‘David’ platform allows generating EVs with wheelbases of 2,600 mm to 2,800 mm. The ‘Edward’ platform is for more spacious cars with wheelbases ranging from 2,800 mm to 3,100 mm. The Xpeng G3 and Xpeng P5 sit on the David platform, while the Xpeng P7 and Xpeng G9 ride on the Edward platform.

Specifications

The Xpeng G9 measures 4,891 mm in length, 1,937 mm in width, and 1,670 mm in height. It has a 2,998 mm wheelbase, and offers 660 liters of cargo space, expandable to 1,576 liters by folding down the rear seat. There’s a frunk, too, adding another useful 71 liters to the storage volume.

Performance

There are three variants on offer in Europe: RWD Standard Range, RWD Long Range, and AWD Performance. All variants have a 230 kW/430 Nm motor powering the rear wheels. Additionally, the AWD Performance variant uses a 175 kW/287 Nm motor that drives the front wheels. As a result, it has 405 kW of total power and 717 Nm of total torque. While the base variants take 6.4 seconds for a 0-100 km/h sprint, it can accomplish the same in just 3.9 seconds. The top speed is the same across the range, though – 200 km/h.

Range

The G9 RWD Standard Range uses a 78.2 kWh LFP battery pack that delivers a WLTP range of up to 460 km. The G9 RWD Long Range and G9 AWD Performance share a 98 kWh lithium-ion NMC battery pack. These variants can travel up to 570 km and 520 km, respectively, on a full charge, as per WLTP. WLTP figures are usually quite generous when compared to America’s EPA numbers.

Charging

The G9 boasts Xpeng Motors’ new-generation XPower 3.0 powertrain system with China’s first 800-volt mass-production SiC platform. Customers can charge its battery pack at up to 11 kW with alternating current and up to 260 kW (RWD Standard Range)/300 kW (RWD Long Range & AWD Performance) with direct current.

Charging from 5 to 100% SoC at an AC charging station takes at least 9 hours (RWD Standard Range)/at least 11 hours (RWD Long Range & AWD Performance). Charging from 10 to 80% SoC at a DC charging station takes 20 minutes. A 230V power outlet for V2L functions is standard, and it allows supplying power at up to 3.3 kW.

Faster charging in China

In China, the G9 can be charged even faster. However, unlike what many publications are reporting, Xpeng Motors doesn’t state 480 kW as the G9’s peak charging input. The company says that the G9 can, on purchasing a ‘4C’ option, support charging at its new 480 kW S4 supercharging (ultra-fast charging) stations. However, with an actual charging demo showing the G9 accepting direct current at 443.5 kW, it seems that taking full benefit of these charging stations will be possible.

On specifying the 4C option, charging from 10 to 80% SoC takes just 15 minutes and just five minutes of charging can be enough to deliver a CLTC range of 200 km (124 miles). Five minutes may seem insignificant in an absolute sense, but in the world of charging technology, is a big leap.

Aspect	Xpeng G9 RWD Standard Range	Xpeng G9 RWD Long Range	Xpeng G9 AWD Performance
Length	4,891 mm	4,891 mm	4,891 mm
Width	1,937 mm	1,937 mm	1,937 mm
Height	1,680 mm	1,680 mm	1,680 mm
Wheelbase	2,998 mm	2,998 mm	2,998 mm
Cargo Space (rear seats up)	660 liters	660 liters	660 liters
Cargo Space (rear seats folded)	1,576 liters	1,576 liters	1,576 liters
Front Trunk Space	71 liters	71 liters	71 liters
Tire Size	245/45R19	245/45R19	255/45R21
Rear Motor Power	230 kW	230 kW	230 kW
Rear Motor Torque	430 Nm	430 Nm	430 Nm
Front Motor Power	NA	NA	175 kW
Front Motor Torque	NA	NA	287 Nm
System Power	230 kW	230 kW	405 kW
System Torque	430 Nm	430 Nm	717 Nm
0-100 km/h Acceleration Time	6.4 seconds	6.4 seconds	3.9 seconds
Top Speed	200 km/h	200 km/h	200 km/h
Battery Pack	78.2 kWh LFP	98 kWh lithium-ion NMC	98 kWh lithium-ion NMC
AC Charging Power	11 kW	11 kW	11 kW
AC Charging Time (5–100% SoC)	≥9 hours	≥11 hours	≥11 hours
DC Charging Power	260 kW	300 kW	300 kW
DC Charging Time (10–80% SoC)	20 minutes	20 minutes	20 minutes
Energy Consumption (WLTP)	19.4 kWh/100 km	19.4 kWh/100 km	21.3 kWh/100 km
Range (WLTP)	460 km	570 km	520 km
V2L	Yes, at 3.3 kW	Yes, at 3.3 kW	Yes, at 3.3 kW

First impressions

Going by Chinese media reports, Xiaopeng (the brand boss) has claimed that the Xpeng G9 handles as well as the Porsche Cayenne, which many consider the benchmark in the segment for driving dynamics. The Chinese auto media has tested the car to put his claim to the test. In fact, Xpeng Motors had brought a Cayenne S that sports a 2.9L twin-turbo V6 and takes 5.2 seconds for a 0-62 mph sprint to the G9’s media drive to let journalists compare the two SUVs.

Sina Automobile sampled a 650 Performance Max unit of the G9 and said that it accelerates “more violently” than the Cayenne S. It doesn’t handle as well as the Cayenne in the moose test, though, and its steering system could have been more responsive. On simulated speed bumps, even with 21-inch wheels, the suspension absorbs the shocks well and gives a very European luxury car feeling. It beats the Porsche model in this test.

GeekNEV says in its review that the G9 is a comfort-oriented SUV, not a sporty model, but it suggests that it offers a good grip. The steering is not very precise or direct, but it’s light and has a reasonable ratio. The tire noise is almost inaudible, but wind noise is evident above 62 mph.

Meets international standards

Xia Heng, Co-founder and President of Xpeng Motors, has said that the G9 is the company’s first model developed with international markets in mind right from the start. It will be responsible for the company’s brand development and growth, Heng added. For design and other aspects of the product, the company took the preferences and needs of overseas markets into account during its development.

Xpeng G9 is the first model of Xiaopeng Motors that was launched for domestic and international markets at the beginning of its development. It also shows the determination of Xiaopeng Motors to move towards internationalization.

Xia Heng, Co-founder and President, Xpeng Motors (Xpeng G9 world premiere in November 2021)

Xpeng Motors has kept the requirements of international safety standards in mind while developing the G9. The new electric SUV complies with the C-NCAP and E-NCAP 5-star safety design standards and the stringent EU WVTA vehicle certification standards. Chinese vehicles are getting better at safety with each passing launch, and Nio’s ES8, which received a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating in September 2021, is an example of progress. The maximum score is Xpeng Motors’ target for the G9.

Using eco-friendly materials in vehicles is a good step, but a growing concern is also what happens to the car at the end of its life. Xpeng Motors says that the G9 meets the EU 3R certification requirements. It has a reusability rate of over 85% and a recyclability rate of over 95%. It should be possible to reuse most of the vehicle in this case.

Xpeng G9 price & release date

Xpeng Motors has launched the G9 in four European markets – Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. Customer deliveries should begin in September 2023. In China,

Configuration\Price	Denmark (DKK)	Netherlands (EUR)	Norway (NOK)	Sweden (SEK)
RWD Standard Range	479,900	57,990	499,900	699,900
RWD Long Range	549,900	61,990	569,900	749,900
AWD Performance	599,900	71,990	639,900	829,900

TopElectricSUV says

Xpeng Motors’ most advanced EV to date has the potential to expand the startup company’s popularity in China and globally. From its futuristic design to high-end electronics, the world’s best charging technology, high-performance powertrain, anxiety-free range, semi-autonomous driving, and more, the new flagship SUV sure packs a punch. For European customers, the G9 could be a value-for-money premium SUV. Despite the car’s impressive credentials on paper, the ownership experience will be the real litmus test.

Xpeng G9 FAQs

Featured Image Source: Xpeng Motors