Is the XPENG G6 ready to compete with European electric vehicles
When it was launched a year ago, the XPENG owners and marketers in China had their sights more towards European car manufacturers. Yes, their benchmark was the global brand leaders and with just 10 years of manufacturing under their belt, they were very focused in putting together a global best selling electric car (EV).
Now we have XPENG officially being sold in Malaysia under Bermaz XPENG and here is our 3 days’ experience with this latest EV.
XPENG G6 Technology
The XPENG G6 comes with was China’s first mass-produced, die-casted front and rear integrated aluminum body which included cell-integrated body (CIB) technology that optimized cabin design with added vertical space and increased battery safety. You also get SEPA 2.0 and the advanced ADAS capabilities of XNGP.
So, what about its battery and driving performance? Well this EV’s 800V Silicon Carbide (SiC) platform combined with its 3C battery technology can deliver up to an impressive 570 km of electric driving range. The G6 will be able to retain 300 km of range after just 10 minutes on DC fast charging.
The arrival of XPENG will push historical automotive manufacturers who have had to retool and rework their production and engineering to cater to this changing landscape to re-evaluate their product strategy and pricing for Malaysia.
Why? Well, XPENG is a premium EV brand with an asking price lower than Hyundai, KIA, smart# and even a Volvo. Ok, you might say we are a starting to talk ‘crazy’ by putting XPENG side by side with the above well-known car manufacturers.
Well, since the electric movement took the fast track in the last 3 years, Chinese EV manufacturers have managed to fast track their position right next to premium Korean models as the ‘game’ has changed tremendously.
XPENG G6 Features
Here are some facts to digest and assist you in making a decision.The XPENG G6 has a length, width and height of 4,753 mm, 1,920 mm and 1,650 mm, respectively and a wheelbase of 2,890 mm.
For comparison, the smart#3 has a length, width and height of 4,400 mm, 1,844 mm and 1,556 mm with a wheelbase of 2,785 mm. So, this XPENG is a larger vehicle.
The XPENG G6 comes with an innovative SEPA2.0 platform with 800V architecture and the most advanced software technology, plenty of cabin space, good passenger comfort and uncompromising standard equipment.
This fast charging XPENG G6 (up to 280 kW) will be available with two battery packs (66 kWh and 87.5 kWh), the largest of which has a maximum WLTP driving range of 570 km.
The XPENG G6 will accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 6.0 seconds and is able to reach 200km/h where it is allowed (deserted highway with no speed cameras please).
XPENG G6 Cabin
Get inside the G6 and you will find a very spacious and plush cabin. Yes, every touch and feel point is premium in feel and look. The cabin is well thought out and is tech filled. Yes, you get a large 15-inch center infotainment screen (there is also a 10.2-inch rectangular screen just for the driver behind the steering wheel) with all your ‘functions’ and more ready for your finger touch and or swipe.
Like all its battery powered rivals it takes time to learn (2 to 3 days for me) a few hours for a teenager. Once you get going with the functions you will learn how much much thought and understanding for future drivers have been built into the system.
It’s a high tech laptop bolted on to 4 wheels. Yes, this might be intimidating for some older or less tech savvy individuals, but given enough time you will start understanding the reasons why.
Get in, find your preferred seating position and just click the gear-shifter which is a simple stalk on the right side of the steering wheel. You will glide away fuss free. The momentum is good in ECO mode and when you ready, try SPORT mode and get ready to feel the surge of power. Yes, in SPORT mode your battery consumption is higher, best to stay in ECO mode as there is still more than enough power delivery up to 110km/h.
Rear passengers get great comfort (even for 3 adults) and the G6 can easily be a chauffeured driven car as rear passengers have the leg and headroom to just slide in and out of the G6.
The 18-speaker ‘XOpera’ sound system is really impressive for this price segment and cabin insulation is one of the best we have experienced even when comparing with EV’s costing RM100k more.
XPENG Safety Equipment
The standard safety features of the vehicle include 7 airbags and electronic child lock. As for its advanced safety features, the XPILOT 2.5 driver assistance system is equipped with high-definition millimetre-wave radar, ultrasonic radar and a 360˚ HD Camera powered by Nvidia Orin-X chipset which this feature allows drivers with panoramic traffic environment surrounding the vehicle on the instrument cluster.
The G6’s XPILOT driving advanced safety features comes equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go, Lane Centering Control (LCC), Active Lane Change (ALC), Enhanced Auto Parking Assist (EAP 2.0), Auto Exit Parking Assist (AEP) via XPENG mobile application, Straight Summon via XPENG mobile app, Driver State Monitoring (DSM), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Intelligent High Beam (IHB), Blind-spot Detection (BSD), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Rear Collision Warning (RCW).
XPENG G6 Decision Time
The main rivals for the XPENG G6 is the Tesla Model Y which is priced from RM199k to a whopping RM288k for the LONG RANGE variant and also the smart#3 which is priced from RM175k to RM255k.
Well for us, the Model Y is behind in terms of build quality, cabin refinement and selling price (higher) but leads in driving distance and Supercharger network.
The smart#3 is very close in terms of build, features, technology, but its selling price keeps the XPENG G6 in the lead by a margin.
XPENG G6 Specifications
Battery Capacity: 87.5kWh
Range (WLTP): 570km
Estimated Charging Time: 9.5 hours from 5% to 100% @ AC & 20 minutes 10% – 80% @ DC
Power: 282Hp
Torque: 440Nm
Acceleration 0 – 100km/h: 6.2 seconds
Top Speed: 200km/h
Selling Price:RM165,000 to RM185,000
