Design review Xpeng P7: ‘better than some European brands’

The foundations of a pleasant-looking car are the right ones proportions. The foundation for this is the right one packaging – the composition of subcutaneous technology including the placement of components and people. Many European manufacturers of electric cars prove that developing the right packaging is no easy feat, such as the unsightly Volkswagen ID models and the range of cars derived from them within the VW Group.

The Xpeng P7 is proportionately remarkably strong. Particularly strong, also considering the P5 that was initially going to be available from us but was nevertheless withdrawn:

And to a lesser extent the G3i models that are noticeably less pleasant:

The large SUV G9 is again very skilfully executed:

The right one falls at the front of the P7 dash-to-axle ratio up. Its long wheelbase and exceptionally short front overhang contribute to the good proportions. The P7 has a very clean body, which, viewed from the side, is drawn tending towards generic, but within reasonable limits. The character of most cars mainly speaks of front and rear, comparable to humans and animals. The P7 is no exception.

The typical one DRG makes a unique face for Xpeng. This down the road graphic has no faux grille, does not even have a graphic reference to it, and has a characteristic arrangement of the headlights, slightly recessed with a subtle faceted edge around it, placed under the horizontal unit.

The powerful proportions of the nose are particularly striking, the visual weight above the front wheel is particularly low. The surfacing over it is perfectly done. The car is softly shaped, with an almost sensual skin: pure and refined.

The Shutlines of the P7 are an integrated part of the design. That in itself is not unique within automotive design, but it has been beautifully implemented on the P7. Both at the front and at the back of the car.

For example, the dividing seam that splits the horizontal rear light unit into three parts, left, center and right, is the start of the rhythm with which the lighting unit is divided to the left and right of that seam. This is particularly noticeable in the dark and the interruption changes from a disturbing element to part of the whole.

A similar rhythm is repeated in the front lamp unit:

Here too, the unit is split into three parts, but in connection with the manufacturability of the whole. Well found and nicely solved. Due to the typical rhythm, it is also much more recognizable than an LED strip that is illuminated consistently from left to right without interruptions.

Seen three-quarters from the front, the dividing seams also play an important part of the design:

The shutline of the bonnet, which runs from the A-pillar in an S-shape over the side of the fender towards the horizontal upper headlight, strongly contributes to the perception of the already very low fender. It further distributes the low height above the front wheel and also emphasizes the softness of the blister around the wheel beautifully.

It brand DNA from Xpeng is accessible due to its softness, while it never degenerates into a heavy or lumpy whole, as with the EQ range of Mercedes-Benz, for example, is the case.

With the P7, Xpeng shows that the young brand can not only compete, but is even better than many European big names.