XPeng G9L first look: three-row SUV coming as an EV or range-extender

XPeng’s new G9L is a large three-row SUV that will be offered in New Zealand with either a fully electric drivetrain or a range-extender. It was revealed at the Paris motor show this week, and NZ Autocar got a first look at a pre-production car ahead of its local launch.

XPeng says New Zealand pricing, specifications and launch timing will be confirmed in the coming months. An XPeng representative told us the company would like to see it come in under A$100,000 in Australia. Six and seven-seat layouts will be offered.

The G9L sits below XPeng’s flagship GX and will join the G6, X9 and L03 in the local line-up. It went on sale in China in September as a five-seater, and right-hand-drive production started at XPeng’s Guangzhou plant the same month. European cars will be built by Magna Steyr in Austria.

Range-extender

XPeng is leading with the range-extender, which it calls Super Electric REEV. It pairs a 63kWh LFP battery with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine that only generates electricity and never drives the wheels. XPeng quotes up to 287km of WLTP electric range and up to 1200km in total.

Outputs are 430kW and 695Nm, with 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds. XPeng says the system runs on battery power around town, brings the engine in on the highway and blends both when climbing or under heavy load. The engine runs on the Atkinson cycle and shuts down cylinders to smooth restarts, and XPeng is targeting a difference of less than 1dB in cabin noise between battery-only and range-extender running.

Electric

The fully electric version has the same 430kW and 695Nm and a 110kWh battery, good for up to 553km on the WLTP cycle according to XPeng’s local release. The European version is quoted at up to 591km.

Both versions use an 800-volt system. The EV can charge at up to 540kW, with XPeng claiming a 10 to 80 per cent charge in under 12 minutes on a suitable charger, and about 12 minutes for the range-extender. Both are rated to tow two tonnes.

Big, but built to be manageable

The G9L is 5120mm long, 1998mm wide and 1788mm tall, on a 3100mm wheelbase. It has double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, with dual-chamber air springs and continuously adjustable dampers. Rear-wheel steering is standard, and XPeng says it gives the G9L a tighter turning circle than a Mini Cooper. We will find out how well it hides its size when we drive one here.

XPeng quotes a drag coefficient of 0.238. The headlights can project images onto the road, and XPeng says they can work as a projector for screenings of up to 98 inches.

Nine airbags are standard, along with emergency braking that XPeng says works at up to 150km/h and stability support after a tyre blowout. XPeng says the G9L covered more than 6.74 million km of testing in 26 countries over three years. It has not yet been rated by ANCAP.

XPeng’s NGP assisted driving system, built on its second-generation VLA model, is designed to handle navigation-based driving in town and on the highway, including lane changes, traffic lights, intersections and roundabouts. It is due for New Zealand customers during 2027.

Inside

The preview car’s cabin was trimmed in tan Nappa leather. Almost everything runs through the large central touchscreen, including opening the glovebox and adjusting the steering wheel, and voice control was not working on the pre-production car. A small instrument display stays fully visible even with the wheel at its lowest setting. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fitted, along with a built-in dashcam and 50W wireless phone charging.

The front seats have heating, ventilation, memory, 16-point massage and adaptive side bolsters, and the passenger seat reclines into a zero-gravity position. The front doors open electrically.

The second-row seats are power adjusted, heated, ventilated and massaging, with electric window blinds. Passengers get a roof-mounted screen, their own control panel for media, climate, seats and the fridge, USB-C ports and fold-out tables. The 12.5-litre fridge in the back of the centre console can heat, cool and freeze. There is a 26-speaker sound system.

The third row is heated, power adjusted and reclines, with its own cup holders and USB-C ports. Getting into it was the weak point on the car we tried, as the button for moving the second row did not work, but there was reasonable room for an adult once seated.

Boot space is 1152 litres with the third row folded, and there is a front boot of 60 litres in the range-extender or 109 litres in the electric version.

We will bring you pricing when it is announced, and a full review once the G9L arrives in New Zealand.

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