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Xpeng from China is launching in Germany with two electric cars

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Xpeng from China is launching in Germany with two electric cars

Things are slowly getting cozy in the automotive upper house. With Xpeng, the German premium family has another guest at their table who wants a piece of the tasty cake. The Chinese brand, which is still largely unknown to us and sounds like a manufacturer of toy guns, is launching here with two electric models in the upper price segment.

In contrast to the traditional German players, the story of the company from Guangzhou is quickly told: Xpeng is barely older than a primary school student and was only born as a start-up in 2014. The founders include the online platform Alibaba. Which explains that the digital world is Xpeng's top priority. Last year was with VW started a development cooperation that will result in two middle-class companies by 2026Electric cars for the Chinese market. As part of this collaboration, VW acquired Xpeng for around five percent.

Xpeng recently announced the launch of a sub-brand for young people that will offer inexpensive AI-supported electric cars for under 20,000 euros. Xpeng came into the international spotlight for the first time at this year's CES in Las Vegas with the presentation of their flying car eVTOL, which will actually fly into series production in 2025. In the future, Xpeng plans to produce around 600,000 vehicles per year at three Chinese locations, and around 400,000 cars should already be on the market.

After Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden, Xpeng is now venturing into the German market. Into the lion's den. The vehicles are traditionally sold through dealers where Xpeng operates. spare Parts should be on site within 24 hours, the start will be with 12 dealers at 24 locations, and by 2026 they plan to have 60 and a total of 120 sales points.

Sports sedan Xpeng P7

At the beginning of May, the Chinese tried their luck with two models, the P7 sports sedan and the P9 luxury SUV. Both are almost five meters long and come with absolutely top equipment as standard, tons of assistants (22 in the P7, 24 in the P9), and an eight-year guarantee Batteries and seven on the car. Huge panoramic roofs, electric seats with massage functions at the front and rear and brilliant 15-inch displays are always on board. The software automatically remains up to date “over-the-air”. In fact, only one equipment package and the trailer hitch can be ordered as an extra.

The P7 starts with rear-wheel drive, 276 hp and one Range of 576 kilometers at 49,600 euros. The performance versions with all-wheel drive and 473 hp (from 58,600 euros) should travel 505 kilometers with the contents of the 86.2 kWh battery. The 400-volt architecture charges with a maximum of 175 kW, and the battery level should be filled from 20 to 80 percent in 25 minutes.

A first taster session with the coolly drawn China threesome shows that Xpeng must have tapped the expertise of professionals during development.

The fact that the acceleration of the electric car is enormous no longer really surprises anyone. But the confident manner does. Noticeably tuned for dynamics, but without being nasty, you really don't notice that the P7 has only ten years of car manufacturing experience. Tuning, performance and power development seem surprisingly clear.

Because the battery acts as an integral part of the chassis, the car is extremely rigid and manageable. Workmanship and materials seem appropriate for the confident price. Nothing creaks, despite the frameless doors, the acoustic glazing barely lets any wind noise into the interior, even at 150 highway speeds.

Luxury SUV Xpeng P9

This applies no less to the P9, which starts at 57,600 euros with a noticeably reduced sheet metal appearance. Because the Chinese gave him one 800 voltsplatform, it can produce up to 300 kW load and fill the battery from 20 to 80 percent in 15 minutes. The new flagship is also available with rear- and all-wheel drive and with battery sizes of 78.2 and 98 kWh. The vehicle registration says 312 or 512 hp (all-wheel drive), the range according to WLTP is 460 or 570 hp.

The P9 sprints to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds – if it has to – but otherwise it's not that sporty. The air suspension is noticeably softer in terms of footwork than the P7 SUV comfortably on the slopes. If the ground becomes undulating, the 2.4-ton load will sway. Sudden changes in direction occur with a noticeable tilt – not 100% trustworthy.

When going straight, the P9 is a talented stress eater. Extremely quiet and blessed with a luxury that costs a fortune for others. Two 15-inch displays are always included and, if desired, there is a surround sound system that will blow your ears away. A special feature is that the P9 parks completely autonomously. Xpeng does not name specific sales targets. At least here the Chinese practice modesty. At least still.