Update on January 1, 2024, the Xpeng X9, positioned as a pure electric intelligent seven seater MPV model, was officially launched on the Chinese market. The new car is offered by a total of four models, with a price range of 359,800 to 419,800 yuan (~US$50,677 – US$59,127). The Xpeng X9 is a mid to large-sized MPV, officially referred to as the “new species”.
In the past Chinese market, MPV models were not mainstream, and MPV models were also few. For example, Honda Odyssey, Buick GL8, and the Toyota Sienna, almost occupied the majority of the market share.
The current Chinese MPV model market, with the participation of numerous Chinese makers, has undergone significant changes. Some fuel models such Trumpchi M8, M6 are selling well, which have learned and inherited the experience of manufacturing MPVs from GAC-Honda. Of course, there are also Maxus from SAIC, which has always been a lukewarm. In recent years, electric vehicle MPVs have gradually become popular, and the Denza D9 under BYD has become quite popular.
So the other Chinese EV startups joint the battle. Xpeng X9, as well as the upcoming Lixiang Mega, the previously launched Zeekr 009, Voyah Dreamer from Dongfeng, as well as GAC’s Trumpchi E9, Volvo EM9 are all considered heavyweight MPV models of their own.
The Xpeng X9 is officially referred to as the “new species” and is positioned as a pure electric intelligent 7-seater MPV model. Its highlights include:
(1) the super large “magic” internal space;
(2) The world’s first MPV model with active rear wheel steering system;
(3) The only standard intelligent dual chamber air suspension in the entire series in China;
(4) The first model equipped with Xmart OS intelligent cockpit system featuring MediaTek SoC;
(5) Global 800V high-voltage SiC silicon carbide platform;
(6) Front and rear integrated aluminum die-cast body;
(7) XNGP full scene intelligent assisted driving system.
In terms of design, Xpeng X9 continues the familial design style of Xiaopeng Motor, with a continuous light strip and sharp headlight design, featuring many sharp lines, creating a very high recognition and visual impact.
Due to its floating roof design, the car still feels like a space capsule when viewed from the rear. In terms of size, the new car has a length, width, and height of 5293/1988/1785mm, and a wheelbase of 3160mm.
It is worth noting that the Xpeng X9 chassis adopts a front and rear integrated aluminum die casting, which not only brings flexible large space, but also ensures reliable safety.
In the interior of the car, Xpeng X9 is equipped with a compact and exquisite full LCD instrument panel and a 21.4-inch home entertainment ecosystem screen, but the front passenger does not have a screen.
The interior features a 2+2+3 layout, with two independent seats in the second row and independent armrests. There is also a small table in front of it, and the interior also has a central aisle width of 180mm. There is an independent air conditioning control area in the rear, located in the center, and there are two skylights in the front and rear.
Xpeng X9 is the only MPV model in the world equipped with active rear wheel steering as standard, with a turning diameter of 10.8m, the smallest in its class, even smaller than the “smart” representative model – Smart # 1. This eliminates the driving experience of traditional MPVs, making the X9 as flexible and lightweight as driving a small car.
At the same time, Xpeng X9 is also the only standard intelligent dual chamber air suspension model in China (including intelligent dual chamber air spring and intelligent variable damping shock absorber), with a maximum adjustable travel of 90mm. According to He Xiaopeng, the seven seater cars on the market are greasy, bulky, inflexible, not young, and not smart, while the X9 is the best one I have ever driven among all MPVs.
In terms of power, Xpeng X9 adopts a global 800V high-voltage SiC silicon carbide platform, with a maximum power system of 235kW for the front and 135kW for the rear, equipped with 84.5kWh and 101.5kWh battery packs, and CLTC pure electric range of 610km, 640km, and 702km, respectively.
