Xpeng, a major car maker in the Chinese market, has entered the Irish car trade with a mid-sized electric SUV called the G6.
Standard range and long range
Egg-shaped and packed with high-tech equipment, the G6 will initially come in two versions—a ‘Standard’ model with a 435km range and a ‘Long Range’ model that can cover a claimed 570km on one charge. Both of those figures are based on the official WLTP test.
The Standard version of the G6 uses a 66kWh battery featuring lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) chemistry, a battery technology much-favoured by Chinese brands because it is more affordable to build and more robust in use.
Ultra-fast charging
It’s not as energy-dense as other battery technologies, though, which is why the Long Range G6 uses a lithium-ion battery of 87.5kWh capacity. That bigger battery gets some seriously impressive DC charging speeds, too. Thanks to an 800-volt charging system, it can accept as much as 280kW charging power from a sufficiently fast DC charger, allowing the G6 to add up to 230km of range in just ten minutes of charging.
Both models use the same 258hp rear-drive single-motor layout, but there is a more powerful Performance model on the way with 476hp, two motors, and four-wheel drive.
1,500kg towing weight
The G6 is practical too. Quite apart from a roomy cabin, it has a 571-litre boot and can be fitted with a fold-away tow bar, which allows it to haul as much as 1,500kg of braked trailer weight.
Standard equipment includes 20-inch rims with Michelin tyres, a large panoramic glass roof, multi-adjustable, heated and leatherette-covered seats all around, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, four USB ports, two 50W induction charging points for smartphones, a 960W audio system with 18 speakers, and an extensive library of music, video, entertainment and social media apps.
Heat-pump heating system
Prices start at €42,000 for the Standard G6, rising to €49,440 for the Long Range model. All models come with assisted driving systems, a 360-degree parking camera, the Xmart OS operating system (with free over-the-air updates) and a standard heat pump that helps to preserve battery range on cold days.
Xpeng isn’t stopping at just one model—a larger SUV called the G9, a P7 four-door saloon, and a P7+ fastback saloon are also arriving soon.
Initially, Xpeng will start with one dealership in south Dublin, but a ‘country-wide’ network of dealers is set to be appointed in the coming months and years.