Tesla’s Mannequin Y is the best-selling EV on the earth. Greater than 1.2 million have been bought final yr, which meant this single car alone accounted for 66 per cent of Tesla’s worldwide gross sales.
Xpeng alternatively, one of many fast-moving newcomers within the Chinese language automobile business, has been paying consideration. The all-new Xpeng G6 is aimed squarely at Tesla’s money cow and Elon Musk needs to be fearful.
The G6 is the primary car constructed on Xpeng’s new Good Electrical Platform Structure (SEPA) 2.0, which is scheduled to underpin a bunch of recent fashions via the top of this decade.
The corporate says SEPA 2.0, which includes an 800V electrical structure, is anticipated to shorten the R&D cycles for future autos by 20 per cent. It’s additionally estimated to chop the price of integrating superior driver help programs by 75 per cent, and good infotainment programs by 85 per cent.
A fast tour of the tape measure reveals how tightly targeted the G6 is on the Mannequin Y. The Xpeng is inside a millimetre of the Tesla when it comes to its general size and width, and the 2 have equivalent 2890mm wheelbases.
The one materials dimensional distinction between the electrical SUVs is peak, with the Chinese language EV standing 26mm taller than its American rival.
The outside design options good proportions, clear surfaces, and restrained detailing. All of which conspire to offer the G6 a subtly refined presence on the street.
Underneath the pores and skin is Xpeng’s personal end-to-end software program structure, Xsmart OS, which helps features reminiscent of Xpeng’s voice-controlled AI assistant, good navigation, a 3D person interface, and third-party apps.
Xsmart OS additionally permits the Xpilot 2.5 superior driver help system that’s commonplace throughout the G6 lineup. It brings options reminiscent of adaptive cruise management, lively lane centring, and lively lane change features, in addition to different numerous computerized parking features.
The system is future-proofed for extra superior autonomous driving functionality due to the G6’s 12 cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and 5 high-definition millimeter-wave radar items.
How does the Xpeng G6 evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Xpeng G6 in opposition to equally sized autos.
Xpeng
G6
How a lot does the Xpeng G6 price?
Australia will solely get two of the three G6 fashions out there in Europe and China when it goes on sale right here.
Xpeng’s technique in Europe has been to cost G6 fashions intently in opposition to Mannequin Y variants with powertrains of comparable efficiency and vary whereas providing a lot increased ranges of ordinary tools for the cash.
Australian G6 pricing is just not scheduled to be introduced till September, however we will anticipate Xpeng’s native importer, distributor and retailer, TrueEV, to comply with Europe’s lead.
On that foundation, the entry-level G6 RWD is prone to retail for $55,000 to $60,000, focusing on the $55,900 Mannequin Y Rear-Wheel Drive.
The G6 RWD Lengthy Vary, as its title suggests, will get an even bigger battery that delivers 31 per cent extra vary is prone to be priced between $65,000 and $70,000 – near the $69,900 Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary All-Wheel Drive.
In contrast with the Teslas, each variations of the G6 supply a lot increased ranges of ordinary tools. For instance, options reminiscent of computerized parking, heated and ventilated entrance seats, in addition to 20-inch wheels with Michelin tyres are commonplace throughout the vary.
TrueEV is presently accepting totally refundable $1000 deposits that can enable clients what it calls ‘precedence entry’ to safe a G6 when the primary examples of the SUV arrive right here within the fourth quarter.
To see how the Xpeng G6 traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device.
What’s the Xpeng G6 like on the within?
The G6’s inside design echoes among the minimalism that’s change into a Tesla trademark.
Drivers do nonetheless get a ten.2-inch digital instrument panel behind the usual heated, multifunction steering wheel to enhance the 14.9-inch touchscreen on the centre of the sprint.
The trim and supplies used within the G6’s cabin ship a much less grimly austere atmosphere than the Mannequin Y.
Just like the Tesla there are, annoyingly, no bodily controls for features such because the local weather temperature management, fan velocity, or vent course. The touchscreen menu structure nonetheless is no less than fairly intuitive to work with.
The facility adjustable entrance seats are heated and cooled, plus they’ve a reminiscence operate.
Regardless of the comparatively quick, virtually coupe-like C-pillar, the heated, 60:40-split rear seat affords comfy lodging for six-foot-plus adults. There’s ample head-, leg-, and toe room for second-row occupants.
Along with 4 USB ports – one Kind-A, and three Kind-C – there are two 50W inductive charging trays for smartphones within the massive centre console.
Two inside color schemes – black and a really pale gray – can be found.
Whereas the steering wheel is trimmed in leather-based, the seats are trimmed in a extremely high quality and sensible leatherette.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The entry-level G6 RWD is powered by a single, rear-mounted e-motor that develops 190kW of energy and 440Nm of torque.
The e-motor attracts from a 66kWh (web) lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that offers the G6 RWD 435km of claimed vary underneath the European WLTP check protocol.
Xpeng claims the G6 RWD, which weighs 2025kg, will speed up from 0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds en path to an electronically restricted prime velocity of 200km/h.
The G6 RWD Lengthy Vary has a 210kW model of the one, rear-mounted e-motor (peak torque is unchanged at 440Nm). It’s fitted with a bigger 87.5kWh (web) nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery that offers it a WLTP-certified vary of 570km.
Xpeng claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.7 seconds, whereas prime velocity can be restricted to 200km/h.
Australia misses out on what’s arguably the decide of the lineup, the G6 AWD Efficiency.
This provides a 140kW e-motor on the entrance axle to ship an all-wheel drive. It has a complete system output of 350kW and 660Nm, and can nail the 0-100km/h dash in simply 4.1 seconds.
The G6 AWD Efficiency is fitted with the identical 87.5kWh (web) battery pack because the RWD Lengthy Vary, and regardless of the additional energy and a 95kg enhance in weight, boasts a WLTP-certified vary of 550km.
To see how the Xpeng G6 traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device.
How does the Xpeng G6 drive?
Our check drive was restricted to the G6 AWD Efficiency which proved effortlessly fast in a straight line, particularly in Sport mode the place it reached its electronically restricted 200km/h prime velocity with stunning alacrity.
However primarily based on that have we will say the Xpeng G6 affords a great mix of experience, dealing with, and refinement.
The Xpeng G6 is just not going to shock you in any means, aside from how far more comfy, coherent, and completed it feels than a Peugeot E-3008, for instance. It’s a completely respectable all-rounder to drive.
There are three drive modes – Customary, Eco and Sport. The G6 AWD Efficiency additionally will get an All-Terrain mode that prompts the usual hill descent management system, in addition to optimises the throttle and brake maps.
4 ranges of regen can be found. There’s Low, which replicates the lift-off coast down of an internal-combustion engine (ICE) car with an computerized transmission, all the way in which to X-Pedal, which permits one-pedal driving.
Annoyingly, the dearth of steering wheel paddles means you need to use the touchscreen to alter the regen ranges.
That stated it’s finest to depart the G6 in Low regen mode for all however stop-start metropolis driving as this enables it to move easily down the street.
The mixing between regenerative and mechanical braking is clean and seamless, and general noise ranges are very low.
Although it’s not meant to be overtly sporty the G6’s chassis has entrance and rear multi-link suspension and feels properly balanced within the twisties.
As talked about, all G6 fashions come commonplace with 20-in alloy wheels wrapped in 255/45 Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres that provide wonderful grip and low noise ranges.
Our tester was fitted with German-made Sachs dampers – commonplace throughout the vary in Europe – that tightly management physique motions.
Total experience high quality is nice, even over pockmarked surfaces. Chinese language market G6s reportedly include a softer suspension setup – we’d advocate Australian-spec fashions keep on with the European setup.
The weakest hyperlink in G6’s dynamic arsenal is the steering which feels considerably inconsistent in Customary mode and doesn’t supply a ton of really feel.
Switching to Sport brings extra consistency to the weighting as you flip the wheel, however you’re then conscious of a powerful self-centring impact that makes it really feel such as you’re working in opposition to a spring.
The excellent news is that is one thing that might be cured with a software program tweak.
Whereas we’re speaking about steering fixes, ditch the stupidly fashionable non-round steering wheel please Xpeng. The modifications within the radius of the rim make it unnecessarily clumsy to make use of.
Total there’s nothing with how the Xpeng G6 drives that couldn’t be fastened with a software program replace to go well with the tastes of discerning Australian customers. The bones are good, and it doesn’t really feel low cost or compromised in any means.
What do you get?
All G6 fashions will supply a considerably increased degree of ordinary tools than comparable Tesla Mannequin Y variants.
Xpeng G6 highlights:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres
- Panoramic glass roof
- Energy tailgate
- Heated steering wheel
- Heated, ventilated entrance seats
- Energy adjustable entrance seats with reminiscence
- Heated rear seat
- 960W, 18-speaker audio system
- “Hey Xpeng” voice assistant
- Good navigation
- 3D person interface
- Twin-zone local weather management
Obtainable choices:
- Graphite Gray, Midnight Black, Silver Frost, Fiery Orange exterior paint
- Electrically operated tow bar
Is the Xpeng G6 secure?
The Xpeng G6 has but to be examined by Euro NCAP, however it’s outfitted with a full suite of passive and lively security options.
Customary security options contains:
- Adaptive cruise management
- Lane centering management
- Lively lane change
- Computerized velocity limiter
- Parking help with 360-degree digicam
- Driver monitoring system
- Ahead collision warning
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Visitors signal recognition
- Blind sport detection
- Lane preserve help
- Rear collision warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Tyre strain monitoring system
How a lot does the Xpeng G6 price to run?
In Europe the Xpeng G6 comes with a seven-year or 160,000km mechanical guarantee, with the battery coated for eight years or 160,000km. It’s seemingly Australian consumers might be supplied comparable guarantee protection.
Xpeng claims an vitality consumption fee of 17.5kWh/100km for each the G6 RWD and the G6 RWD Lengthy Vary. Assuming a mean electrical energy cost of 35 cents per kWh, that means an vitality price of about $6.12 per 100km.
Because of its 800V electrical structure, Xpeng says the nickel manganese cobalt battery within the G6 RWD Lengthy Rang can settle for peak DC cost charges of 280kW, enabling the 87.5kWh battery to be taken from a ten per cent state of cost to 80 p.c in 20 minutes.
The LFP battery within the base mannequin will settle for a peak DC cost fee of 215kW.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Xpeng G6
The Xpeng G6 graphically illustrates the breakneck tempo at which the Chinese language automotive business is growing and increasing its product attain.
It took Tesla 17 years to get 4 autos into manufacturing, whereas the G6 is fifth new mannequin from a carmaker that didn’t exist a decade in the past. Xpeng is transferring so quick it makes Tesla appear to be Nineteen Eighties Basic Motors.
The Tesla Mannequin Y has for a while been the default alternative on this section – no extra. The Xpeng G6 is healthier constructed than the Tesla when it comes to its match, end, and the standard of its supplies.
It additionally affords extra commonplace tools and, relying on mannequin, close to equal or higher efficiency and vary at extremely aggressive costs.
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