Xpeng G9: 200 kilometers charged in five minutes!

Xpeng increases the pace: The G9 is set to stand on the new 800-volt platform and leverage silicon carbide technology that ensures very high charging capacities. The system, branded by Xpeng as “XPower 3.0”, is said to offer up to 480 kW (600 amperes at 800 volts) peak charging capacity, enabling the addition of 200 kilometers of range in just five minutes. To make the most of this 800-volt SiC platform, Xpeng also plans to develop corresponding ultra-fast charging stations. These are expected to deliver up to 670 amperes and meet the IP67 protection class.

Visually, the G9 remains discreet and references the other models with continuous LED strips at the front and rear. Otherwise, the G9 presents itself very conservatively and follows the "mainstream" of medium to large SUVs. No technical specifications were released yet, but there is an emphasis once again on the software that is supposed to set the G9 apart from the competition. It utilizes the so-called “X-EEA 3.0 Electronic and Electrical Architecture”. According to Xpeng, this should enable deep integration of hardware, software, and communication architecture, prompting Xpeng to describe it as a "centralized supercomputing platform" with local control modules.

For this purpose, the Chinese break down the vehicle software into layers: system software platform, basic software platform, and intelligent application platform. This should enable faster development and optimization of software, so that regular software updates with improvements and new functions can be rolled out.

In terms of driving assistance, the “Xpilot 4.0” is set to be used: The P5, introduced in April, is the first production model with lidar sensors and features either the Xpilot version 2.5 or 3.0, depending on the equipment. Accordingly, the Xpilot 4.0 is expected to be the first system "to enable intelligent driving in all scenarios from vehicle start to parking." According to Xpeng, the hardware offers up to 508 TOPS computing power, a front camera with eight million pixels, and four cameras with 2.9 million pixels. Although Xpeng does not mention lidar sensors, they must be part of the package.

When the G9 is scheduled to hit the market and which international markets are planned, Xpeng CEO Xiaopeng did not specify during the presentation – but it can be assumed that Xpeng will also use the G9 as a gateway to new markets in Europe and America.

What does that mean?

In terms of design, the G9 remains almost disappointingly reserved, but it could be at the forefront in autonomous driving and charging performance. Now we just need more concrete data and plans for market entries.