Xpeng G6 News

Xpeng talks a big game on reviving the sedan and hatch segment with its Tesla Model 3-rivalling Mona M03.

After revealing the new G6 in teaser images, XPeng has detailed its deeply upgraded mid-size electric SUV, revealing its interior ahead of a March launch in China.The 2025 XPeng G6 facelift features a slightly revised exterior with new front lighting, fresh sets of wheels and a mildly tweaked tailgate with a new spoiler alongside a slew of new colour choices, but the biggest upgrades are under the skin and inside.Significant features inside include a larger set of screens, a 10.25-inch digital dash (up from 10.2 inches) and a 15.6-inch multimedia touchscreen (up from 15 inches) with additional processing power thanks to a new Qualcomm 8295 processor.Styling wise, the interior features a new design motif, with new pattern-work for the speaker shrouds, while the shape of the steering wheel has also been tweaked.It also features capacitive functions for the steering wheel, a video-capable rear-vision mirror, a new ambient lighting feature, as well as ventilation, heating, and message functions for the front seats.The brand also promises some form of AI-integration and an upgraded array of self-driving technologies in order to rival Tesla’s controversial full self-driving (FSD) suite.Additionally, the standard-range 60kWh battery has been replaced by a 68.5kWh unit, offering an additional 70km of range (according to the CLTC measuring standards). It will maintain its 800-volt architecture, 280kW peak DC charging speed, and corresponding 10 to 80 per cent charge in around 20 minutes.There are further upgrades which are yet to be detailed. The brand’s founder, He Xiaopeng posted to Weibo that more details of the facelifted G6’s touted 81 feature upgrades would be revealed closer to its March launch in China.The car is also said to be physically 34 per cent new, suggesting further yet-to-be-detailed hardware upgrades, with the brand saying “more surprises” were in store for the mid-size SUV.The XPeng G6 only arrived in Australia in late 2024, priced from a keen $54,800 before on-road costs for the entry-level Standard Range.At the time it was an aggressive starting price to rival the Tesla Model Y, but the updated version of that car is set to arrive in Australia later this year starting from $63,400 before on-roads and incentives. Upgraded or not, the new G6 will also have to face new rivals in the form of the Geely EX5, Leapmotor C10, and incoming offerings from GAC.However, Chinese media is also reporting the new car could have a lower entry price than the outgoing version, with information leaked from Chinese dealer sources reportedly suggesting a circa-AU$4500 price cut in its home market. Whether this translates to a similar tweaked pricing structure in Australia remains to be seen.The brand has re-committed to an ongoing 10-year warranty locally, which was initially offered on a promotional basis.XPeng’s local expansion plans are confirmed to include its G9 large SUV and X9 people mover, although whether the P7 sedan and G7 Coupe SUV also join the line-up remains to be seen.

XPeng has only just started delivering its G6 mid-size electric SUV to customer hands, but a major facelift is already set to launch in its home market.

Chinese car maker XPeng has brought back a 10-year warranty on its G6 mid-sized electric SUV, making it one of very few brands offering such long coverage in Australia.

We now know the crucial powertrain details of the incoming XPeng G7, which is poised to land on Australian shores next year.The top-spec G7 will reportedly boast a range of 702km under the more lenient CLTC cycle when it lands in China in April, thanks to a 80.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack produced by China Aviation Lithium Batteries (CALB), according to CarNewsChina.An entry-level variant will carry a smaller 68.5kWh unit, with range dropping to 602km on the CLTC cycle. Both models will carry a single 218kW electric motor, with a more powerful dual-motor, all-wheel drive variant set to arrive later.In terms of dimensions, we already know the G7 will be 4892mm long, 1925mm wide and 1655mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2890mm. That puts it roughly on par with more luxe electric EVs, such as the Polestar 3, BMW iX and Mercedes EQE SUV, although it is unlikely to go anywhere near those models on price.Curb weight will sit at about 2085kg on the entry-level version thanks to a 560kg battery pack, which is considerably heavier than the incoming single-motor Rear Wheel Drive Tesla Model Y, which weighs 1921kg and carries a similarly-sized 62.5kWh battery.That said, the G7 is 100mm longer and 31 mm taller than the Model Y, but just 4mm wider.Despite the brand claiming to be the new “benchmark of luxury” on the EV market, its price will scream more budget-friendly, with CarNewsChina forecasting a price tag of 200,000 Yuan ($43,917).That would put its Australian price around the $55,000 mark, which is more in the realm of a BYD Sealion 7 or Kia EV5, although the G7 is larger than both of them.Further details remain scarce for now, with only exterior images and a few leaked interior shots keeping us occupied.Design wise, the G7 will bear some strong similarities to the incoming Model Y with its full bonnet-width LED light bar, sloping roofline, rear spoiler and flush door handles.Inside, we know the G7 will have a portrait-mounted central touchscreen, along with a smaller digital driver’s display, but that’s about it for now.Expect more information following the G7’s official launch date in China this April.

The electric SUV market has been Tesla’s since the Model Y arrived down under in 2022, with few rivals fit enough to challenge it from a range, price or technological perspective.The competition has finally expanded in 2024, with cut-price Chinese and South Korean rivals gunning for the Model Y’s crown.So, do they have the spec sheets to prove it?We’ve put two of the most compelling Model Y rivals – the Kia EV5 and Xpeng G6 – head-to-head on paper with Australia’s top-selling EV to determine whether Tesla really has anything to worry about.The Model Y is comfortably the leader when it comes to cargo space, offering what the brand claims is an additional 334-litres of additional storage over the Kia EV5 and a further 273-litres over the Xpeng G6.It must be mentioned, however, that Tesla only quotes the space between the boot floor and the Model Y's roof, while most other brands only quote boot space to rear window line.That said, the Model Y is known for its huge cargo capacity, adding an additional 117 litres under the bonnet, besting the Kia EV5 by 50 litres, while the Xpeng G6 is void of a front trunk entirely.The discrepancies in cargo space are quite staggering when you factor in that the Model Y and Xpeng G6 are practically on par when it comes to dimensions, with the G6 actually 2mm longer than the Model Y and 26mm taller.Tesla credits the Model Y's huge expansiveness to the Model Y's electric underpinnings, which positions the electric motor (or motors) closer to the axles, making way for additional cabin space.Cargo space aside, the Model Y's huge width can make it feel a quite daunting to park, particularly when car parks don't always subscribe to the minimum 2.4m width they're required to. For those who prefer a slimmer car, the Kia EV5 is the safest bet.When purchasing an EV, arguably the most important factor (beside cost) is range, and in this key metric the Xpeng G6 Long Range has either of its competitors beaten decisively. It carries an additional 47km over the Model Y and a whopping 70km over the EV5.It has them both on another key metric as well – DC fast-charging time. According to Xpeng's claim for the G6 Long Range, you'll spend 18 fewer minutes at a charging station than you will charging the equivalent EV5, or seven minutes less on the equivalent Model Y. In a world of shortening attention spans and impatient drivers, that will undoubtedly make the G6 more appealing.Achieving that figure, however, is obviously dependent on the charger meeting the max capacity of 280kW, which depends on how closely you live to a fast-charging station, which are unfortunately less common than one would hope. The Model Y might have the G6 in that respect, given it operates its own network of chargers across Australia with 250kW capacity pylons commonplace, the majority of which are exclusive to Tesla vehicles.Despite having the largest battery pack, the Kia EV5 falls short on both of its rivals with a comparatively long charging time at 38 minutes at a maximum capacity of just 141kW.In terms of speed and acceleration, the Model Y is streets ahead of the competition, a less practical metric but one that is undoubtedly appealing for some prospective buyers.Its dazzling 0-100km/h time of 5.0 seconds is followed by the EV5's at 6.1 seconds, which is closely followed by the G6 at 6.2 seconds. The EV5 leads the way with power at 308kW, 32kW more than the Model Y and 108kW more than the G6, while the Model Y has them both covered with torque, giving it a class-leading towing capacity of 1600kg.Since going on sale in the US in 2019, the Model Y is yet to receive a comprehensive facelift, both inside or out.Despite the upgraded 'Juniper' model being earmarked to arrive next year, it's unlikely we will see a comprehensive redesign of the interior, with the combined central driver's display/multimedia display set to remain the standard for 2025 as we saw on the updated Model 3.Tesla purists swear by it, but there are many in the automotive world who are rightly critical of the speedometer being located on the central screen where it exists alongside practically every other vehicle function.Adopting an interior layout that appears to be inspired by the Model Y, Xpeng have gone a step further by installing a 10.2-inch digital driver display, and though the majority of vehicle controls are still commanded through the central infotainment screen, it will no doubt be a more approachable configuration for prospective buyers.It's the Kia EV5 that takes the crown for the most compelling cabin, which is headlined by the integrated panoramic display, a simple, user-friendly display that Kia models have become known for in recent years. On the EV5, that includes twin 12.3-inch touchscreen displays and a smaller 5.0-inch touchscreen for climate controls wedged between.The EV5 – and the G6 – are both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, with Tesla eschewing the software in favour of its own in-house system.All three vehicles carry wireless charging capability, a panoramic sunroof, synthetic leather upholstery and heated front seats as standard, but only one model – the EV5 – provides the option of a massage function for the driver and an augmented reality head-up display.Additionally, if you opt for the top-spec GT-Line variant, you'll get a storage area in the second row that can cool and heat up food, as well as an eight-speaker Harman/Kardon premium sound system.Tesla's stereo is considered one of the best in the business, though.Dual-zone climate only comes on the EV5 and G6, while only the G6 carries an air purification system.These days, especially for EVs, its all about price. And who can undercut the competition with its low-cost manufacturing capacity more than anyone else? China.Despite all three models being built for the Australian market in China, its the Chinese-owned Xpeng G6 that takes the cake from a price perspective. With a starting price of just $54,800 before on-road cost, its $1100 cheaper than the Tesla Model Y and $1,970 cheaper than the base-model Kia EV5.Prices are at before on-road costsPrice is arguably the most important factor informing a customer's decision to purchase an EV, and when you combine that with a better driving range and charging time than both of its key rivals, the answer of which EV makes the strongest case – the Xpeng G6 – becomes clear cut.Having said that, all three vehicles make a compelling case in terms of value, with very little separating them on price or performance.Regardless of preferences, that signals exciting times ahead for the EV market, particularly when you compare it to how it looked just two years ago when Tesla appeared untouchable.

If you really don’t like Tesla boss Elon Musk, where are you supposed to get a good electric car?It’s a question on many people’s lips because, right now, the Model 3 sedan and Model Y siblings offer the best balance of affordability, performance, technology and cabin space of any mainstream electric car on the market. As a new challenger, a brand like Xpeng — along with the likes of BYD, Leapmotor, Aion, Deepal and plenty more — will be looking to scoop potential Tesla customers. But do Elon’s political movements bode well for new brands looking for fresh buyers?The answer, according to Jason Clarke, the CEO of Xpeng importer TrueEV, is more complex than a simple ‘yes’.“Tesla is an incredible brand. You can have thoughts on Elon Musk — positive or negative or neutral — but it was groundbreaking, what they did,” said Clarke, who is an admirer of the way Tesla disrupted the market with the Model S that landed in Australia 10 years ago. “They weren't cheap, and there was no real charging infrastructure and people worked it out, sorted it out. Range anxiety? Forget it. It was desirable, aspirational, all of that. And it was groundbreaking. “Now you've got a Model Y and 3 and it's kind of pedestrian; they're just EVs now, so where does Tesla go?” He said. Clarke, however, sees the value in Xpeng not being so involved in Australia’s early phase of electric vehicles. There’s less pressure and expectation of a new nameplate — it’s a clean slate. Plus, there’s the benefit of surfing some of the education and awareness about electric car ownership and charging that carmakers like Tesla, Nissan, Renault and others had to invest in. “If a brand, Tesla, is in market really fiercely protecting or spruiking what they have — its importance to the environment, economy and so on — that is good for us. A strong Tesla is good for Xpeng, I really believe that.“It’s like two cafes in the street rather than one, it brings more customers,” said Clarke. Clarke appreciates Elon’s willingness to say things and be seen in this business, something others may find jarring. It’s good for business. “I think if you flipped it and Tesla was problematic and had a low market cap and some problems and Elon Musk was demure, that whole category suffers, I believe. You don't necessarily love it on the political side of it. You can loathe it. But is still, front and centre, an electric vehicle technology company,” Clarke said. Xpeng has entered the Australian market with its first offering, the G6 mid-size SUV. With a sharp sub-$60K price, 800-volt electrics for sub-20-minute fast charge and driving range up to 570km, it will be a real headache for the Tesla Model Y, Australia's favourite EV. The brand will expand its range next year with a twin-motor G6 Performance model, along with the X9 people mover. Also likely are the G9 large SUV and the P7+ large sedan, which is Xpeng’s most performance-oriented model. Xpeng has opened its first location in Mascot, inside the Sydney Airport precinct. It is part of a network that will expand beyond 12 locations by the end of 2025 leveraging ‘experience centre’ type stores along with traditional dealer franchises. The goal for Xpeng, which sees itself as a rival for Tesla, BYD, Volkswagen, Kia and Hyundai, is to become a top-five electric car seller, on the way to the target of 25,000 annual sales in Australia. Battery electric vehicles are the main focus for now but Clarke didn't rule out hybrids in the future. The bosses back in China are keen for any product that works in Oz, but Clarke likes the idea of consistency.Xpeng is developing more than just passenger cars, too. Artificial intelligence, humanoid robots and flying machines are all in Xpeng’s future. Flying cars are not ruled out, either.

The Xpeng G6 has entered the rapidly expanding and extremely competitive electric medium SUV segment. Priced to compete with the Tesla Model Y at $54,800, before on-road costs, the 2025 Xpeng G6 boasts stats impressive enough to make the Tesla’s $55,900 best-seller sit up and pay attention. Under the skin, the G6 uses 800-volt architecture and boasts up to 570km driving range, comparable — if not better — than $20,000 dearer rivals like the Kia EV6 GT-Line RWD ($79,590), Hyundai Ioniq 5 Epiq ($84,300), Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium ($79,990) and Polestar 4 ($78,500, all before on-road costs). The significance of Xpeng’s 800-volt electric system is charge time, with owners able to recuperate the larger 87.5kWh lithium-ion (NMC) battery from 10-80 per cent in less than 20 minutes, just as Hyundai-Kia’s E-GMP platform allows. You’ll also find this in luxury vehicles like the Porsche Taycan and its Audi e-tron GT relation.The question is, how has Xpeng saved the money? Imported by TrueEV in Australia, Xpeng says it is all to do with streamlined production steps — and it’s pleasingly nerdy. Like Tesla’s ‘Gigacasting’, Xpeng is moving to simpler vehicle construction, with the SEPA 2.0 platform's one-piece castings integrating 300 individual parts into one element. But there are less visible advancements, too. Technical Advisor at TrueEV Andrew Morcos told CarsGuide about the lessons learned from stripping down a G6 to understand its structure and parts make-up. “I pulled Mercs apart for years. You've got so many different modules, and they go half copper, half CAN Bus. The way you undo these things, make it very complicated”, explained Morcos. Typically, the different modules used by OEMs for various purposes — adaptive cruise control, lighting, in-car entertainment, for example — will communicate in their own ‘languages’. The signals are then translated into universal CAN protocol for the main onboard computer, which communicates information to the occupants or other elements of the vehicle. “When we undid the , everything was so easy to undo with clips … instead of having 10 modules, they’ll have one module that does all of the left-hand side, one module does all the right-hand side and they’re in easy positions to get to.“Because the whole car runs on CAN Bus system, it can communicate in micro seconds. That's why the whole thing is dedicated to autonomous driving, to have reaction times,” said Morcos.  “They've designed this whole system — I reckon they spent more time designing this part of the system than the actual body — they pieced it all together and you can see how delicately they put it for diagnosis, and how everything reacts to each other module and it's very simple to diagnose what the problem is, that's what we found out.”With CAN Bus, instead of a ‘rats nest’ of different, heavy cables, the bulk of the wiring harness can be simplified into two wires — one there, one back. It’s lighter, simpler and should be faster. “This whole car, from 4G to the blinker system, no matter what it is in the car, it all works on their CAN Bus system, and it's and it's very responsive,” added Morcos. Tesla is also pushing forward with elegant solutions for in-car electronics, with boss Elon Musk allegedly sending a ‘how-to design a 48-volt architecture’ pamphlet to major manufacturers, including Ford. Its Cybertruck uses 48-volt electronics everywhere, allowing its steer-by-wire system. The G6 promises rapid processing speeds with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip powering the 15-inch touchscreen and, while the phrase ‘software defined vehicle’ makes everyone in the CarsGuide office groan, it is the future of electric cars. It drives more than the multimedia system too, in theory making the whole experience more seamless. “I've had Tesla technicians come into our car in Melbourne — to spy on us — and they came in and said, ‘man, the refresh rate, processing speed and the quality, it's far superior than ours’,” said Morcos, showing signs of promise for the new G6. Of course, this all comes with one big caveat: We’re yet to drive the G6, or any of Xpeng’s products, in Australia. They could have annoying driver aids, a poor ride, or clunky multimedia systems. Or not. Either way, we’ll have an answer early next year. Unlike Polestar and some European marques, such as Renault, Xpeng does not openly discuss its battery pack’s constituents. The brand does sell vehicles in the EU, which requires battery passports for all vehicles from 2027. Speaking to TrueEV CEO Jason Clarke, it is clear that Xpeng’s target is fixed on the back of Tesla. The importer aims to make Xpeng one of the top-five electric vehicle brands in Australia. The first model to launch is the Xpeng G6, which is on-sale now in two trim levels with a Performance grade to join next year, followed by the X9 people mover. In the near future, expect a larger G9 SUV and a sporty sedan, known as the P7. Prices listed are before on-road costs

ANCAP has released a raft of new scores for eight new models which have landed in Australia this year, with some notable new entrants falling short of the maximum five-star rating.

The Australian new car landscape is changing rapidly with the onslaught of new Chinese brands landing on our shores in the past 12 months.