In the home market of China, the Xpeng G3 received a facelift in 2021, and with the cosmetic refresh, it saw a name change as well—Xpeng G3i. Xpeng launched the G3i in Norway on 19 May 2022, and while it is yet to reveal the prices, we expect the base configuration to cost under NOK 400,000.
Brand Experience store in Norway
Test drives of the Xpeng G3i are available in Norway. The launch of the G3i in the land of the midnight sun coincides with the opening of the brand’s first brand experience store in the country. Located in the Bjørvika area of Oslo, this is the fourth Xpeng Brand Experience Store in Europe, following the outlets in Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Design
Xpeng Motors has given the G3i a completely new front-end that looks upscale and aggressive. Split headlamps and a segmented light band provide a high-tech appearance to the electric SUV. The new front lighting structure forms an X shape and is reminiscent of the Xpeng P7. The company calls this X Robot Face family design. A total of 108 LEDs curve around the new front bumper.
The Xpeng G3i features new flush door handles for premium styling on the sides. The rear-end isn’t much different from the old model. Xpeng Motors offers the restyled crossover in a new Coral Green colour option, inspired by classical Chinese Qinghua porcelain. Moreover, the new model is available in a two-tone exterior with a white roof and an 18-inch wheel option.
Specifications
The Xpeng G3i’s exterior dimensions are similar to those of the Xpeng G3. It measures 4,495 mm in length, 1,820 mm in width, and 1,610 mm in height. The only difference is the length, which is 45 mm longer.
Like in the old model, a permanent magnet synchronous motor generating 145 kW of power and 300 Nm of torque is a standard fitment. This motor drives the front wheels, and it allows the same 0-100 km/h acceleration time and the same top speed of 8.6 seconds and 170 km/h, respectively.
The battery pack is a 66.5 kWh lithium-ion unit that provides a WLTP range of 420 km (261 miles). It takes 35 minutes for 30-80% DC fast-charging. Unlike the G3, the G3i has vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities.
Interior
The interior design of the Xpeng G3i is the same as that of the G3. However, there’s a new processor onboard – the Snapdragon 820A. Also new is a new “Hello, little P” AI voice assistant that can offer continuous dialogue and dual-sound zone recognition. Even rear-seat passengers can enjoy the convenience of voice commands, and that, Xpeng Motors claims, is an industry-first feature.
In April 2021, autohome.com.cn reported that the Xpeng G3 had received an OTA upgrade for the Xmart OS (v1.9.2). Xpeng Motors added a safety test function for the XPILOT 2.5 autonomous driving assistant with the latest OTA upgrade. The company added a user-habit setting group function and a third-party app permission management function to the system as improvements. Lastly, it optimised navigation, seat ventilation/heating and shortcut panel functions, Bluetooth music playback, and AI voice assistant.
In Norway, XPILOT 2.5 is standard in the G3i, and it includes two new functions—Lane Keep Assist and Emergency Lane Keeping. Another new feature in the G3i is a Bluetooth digital key. In the Xpeng G3i launch announcement, Xpeng Motors said that by 31 March 2021, it gave 15 major OTA firmware upgrades and added 55 new functions to the G3 in China.
Video Source: youtube.com/HeyXpeng
Xpeng eyes new markets in Europe
During the Q2 2021 conference call last year, Brian Gu, Vice Chairman and President of Xpeng Motors, said that the company would offer its cars in Europe through distributors and directly to customers. By the end of 2022, it wants a presence in right-hand drive markets as well, presumably, including the UK and Ireland, Xiaopeng said during the conference call.
We were actually going to try a hybrid model in Europe. For example, in Norway, we’re working with the leading distributor right now. But also, we have plans to open up our own stores in large cities or capital cities in the European countries that we target. So we’re experimenting a mixed model.
Brian Gu, Vice Chairman and President, Xiaopeng Motors (Q2 2021 earnings conference call)
Featured Image Source: Xpeng Motors
I got my Master’s in Business Management & Administration and have been an International Automotive News Editor since 2014. I’ve traveled to global motor shows and automotive events, driven various types of vehicles, and focused on hybrid and electric cars in the last 4 years.
