Young and confident
The Chinese brand Xpeng has been around for less than 10 years, the first car was there in 2017. Last year we drove the P5, which ultimately did not come to NL. Now Xpeng comes with the P7, a sedan, and the G9, a large SUV. Can the P7, which is in size between a Tesla Model 3 and S, make a fist in its segment?
Is the XPeng P7 a competitor for the Tesla Model 3 or the Model S?
So for both. It is not entirely coincidental that we immediately mention Tesla as a competitor. With its lines, the P7 is clearly oriented towards the Model 3 and the Model S. Once behind the wheel, the menu structure of the infotainment system and the operation of many things in particular are a feast of recognition. Better well stolen than badly conceived, seems to be the credo. When it comes to finishing and use of materials, Xpeng has done its homework well. It all looks nice and the seating position is excellent. As soon as you adjust the seat, a pop-up with the seat menu appears on the large screen and you can immediately save the setting. Indeed, just like with Tesla. The same goes for the mirrors, which you adjust via the menu on the screen with the scroll wheels on the steering wheel. All features are quick to find and pop up quickly.
Is finding a route with fast charging in the XPeng P7 as easy as in a Tesla?
No. What has not been copied from the great example is a navigation system that calculates a long route including charging stops. That really requires a little more expertise, but that may come with a future software update. There is a shortcut to charging stations on the screen and if you enter a fast charger as the destination, the battery will already reach the ideal temperature. For that charging, Xpeng has an agreement with Shell Recharge, the manufacturer was not yet able to make any concrete announcements about rates and services. But let’s first discharge that battery. The P7 obviously does not have a start button, after boarding everything is on and as soon as you put your foot on the brake pedal and put the drive selector in D, everything is on point. You choose the desired driving mode on the screen. Regenerative braking can be normal or strong and at the bottom you can choose from ‘Eco’, ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’ or ‘One pedal’.
Does the XPeng P7 have one pedal drive?
Special, one pedal is a driving mode in this car. We try that first, to find out pretty quickly that there is no question of one pedal. So no, is the answer to the question. The engine braking is not very strong and the car does not come to a stop in the end. You still have to regularly put your foot on the brake pedal. We drive with the rear-wheel drive variant (in the photos you can see the Performance) and it makes good progress with its 276 hp and 440 Nm of torque. The asphalt is wet and when we stomp hard on the power pedal in a tight corner, the rear takes a small step to the side before the ESP intervenes. The power build-up is most pleasant in ‘Normal’ mode and the P7 is smooth enough in all circumstances and does not immediately make you long for the Performance with 473 hp.
Is the XPeng P7 comfortable or more geared to dynamics?
Not only the powertrain leaves a mature impression; the driving characteristics and the chassis give anything but the impression that we are dealing with a newcomer. Suspension and damping tend to be comfortable rather than sporty and there is sufficient heaviness in the steering. A fine travel car, in combination with the low rolling noise and little wind noise, thanks in part to the drag coefficient of just over 0.23.
Nice cw value, so the P7 is very economical?
You would think. That low value should ensure low consumption and if the engine is as efficient as promised, then a range of four to five hundred kilometers is in the offing. An extensive test will have to show that soon. Xpeng has pulled out all the stops with the safety and assistance systems and with the XPilot a kind of autonomous driving is possible.
What is standard on an Xpeng P7?
The standard equipment leaves nothing to be desired. The only option is a package with a Dynaudio sound system, nappa leather and seat ventilation, which costs €3,990. The top model is the Wing Edition with – yes – gull-wing doors! A color other than metallic white costs €900 or €1,200. For aftersales you can go to a branch of dealer holding Emil Frey and in Leidschendam you will find a store, in Badhoevedorp also, with a service center. That is still being expanded. The Dutch importer has already received two hundred orders, the delivery of the P7 will start this summer. It will not be due to the car, but Xpeng fishes in a relatively small (business) pond with quite a few providers, so for the time being it will probably remain with small numbers.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl