Xpeng’s G9L Lands as a Threat to European Luxury SUVs

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng has unveiled its flagship G9L SUV at the Paris Motor Show, posing a significant threat to European luxury brands. The G9L will be available in battery-electric and range-extender configurations, with prices starting at €74,600 ($83,300) in Germany and between €74,990 ($83,700) and €75,990 ($84,900) in other European markets. This makes it more affordable than the BMW X5, which starts at €102,800 ($114,800) in plug-in hybrid configuration.

The G9L boasts impressive performance, with the range-extender version producing 577 horsepower and 513 pound-feet (695 Nm) of torque, allowing it to hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.4 seconds. Xpeng claims the G9L EREV can travel up to 270 miles (435 km) on electric power alone and has a combined driving range of 996 miles (1,602 km) on the CLTC cycle. The powertrain includes regenerative braking and intelligently adapts to the driving scenario.

Two all-electric versions have been announced, with the most powerful version using a pair of electric motors with 577 HP and 513 lb-ft (695 Nm) of torque. The G9L also features advanced self-driving tech, a plush interior, and supports DC charging speeds of up to 540 kW, allowing the battery to be charged from 10 to 80% in under 12 minutes. The G9L will be manufactured at Xpeng’s plant in China and Magna Steyr’s factory in Austria, with plans to sell it in 64 separate markets, including Australia and New Zealand.