It was a show of power indeed for the newcomer in the EV space in the Philippines. Xpeng not only showcased their X2 flying car and the P7 fastback sedan, they also have a high-profile actress in Anne Curtis to be their brand ambassador at their launch in the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Their first offerings for Filipinos is the X9 MPV and L03 SUV which will certainly redefine their respective segments.
Xpeng is more of an AI technology company that happens to make vehicles, rather than vice-versa. The company uses it not only in its infotainment system, where the experience becomes more personalized the more you use it, but also where it matters most: safety.
Unlike systems that simply follow a fixed set of instructions, Xpeng says its vehicles can learn and adapt to how a driver tends to react to certain situations. The goal is to help the car deal with the decision-making challenges that come with complex road situations. In Xpeng’s words, it aims to “replicate human driving logic.”
Xpeng L03
The L03 carries with it the name of one JuanMa Lopez. He’s a global automotive designer that had stints with famous brands such as Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Audi, among others. One of his most famous projects was the Ferrari LaFerrari. No wonder the L03 looks sleek in all angles.
The compact crossover measures 4,650mm long, 1,920mm wide, and 1,600mm tall, with a 2,850mm wheelbase. This puts it in the same category as fellow Chinese crossovers such as the Geely EX5 and GAC AION V, among others. The L03, however, sits lower to the ground with just 144mm of clearance.
The L03 is designed to cut through the air with a low 0.228 drag coefficient. But even without looking at the numbers, you can see the aerodynamic thinking in its design. The front end has a sharp edge that seamlessly blends into the corners, with Starship headlights containing 400 LED beads. The lines continue along the side profile before widening into the rear hips.
There’s also an active shutter grille on the front bumper, while functional air ducts are placed around the vehicle. The sides get flush door handles and a plethora of cameras and sensors, while the rear is finished with Full Width Star Ring taillights.
Most L03 variants are Rear-Wheel-Driven Battery-Electric vehicles, with one Range-Extended trim joining the lineup. The RWD Standard produces 222 PS, while the RWD Long Range and Long Range Ultra make 249 PS, with all three producing 280 Nm of torque.
Battery capacities vary as well. The Standard gets a 58.2-kWh battery, while the Long Range variants use a larger 71.1-kWh pack. This translates to WLTP ranges of 445km for the Standard, 520km for the Long Range, and 480km for the Long Range Ultra.
At the other end of the lineup is the PowerX Long Range, which uses a combustion engine as a generator rather than directly driving the wheels. It produces 242 PS and 280 Nm, with an all-electric WLTP range of 215km and a combined range of 1,017km. Xpeng also claims that the range extender operates at less than 1dB when activated.
Charging varies across the lineup. Standard AC charging is capped at 6.6kW. A 5-to-100 percent charge takes 10 hours for the Standard and 12.2 hours for the Long Range and Long Range Ultra, while the PowerX takes 6.5 hours.
Fast charging from 10 to 80 percent can take as little as 20 minutes, provided the vehicle and charger can reach their maximum charging rates. The Standard can accept up to 193kW, the Long Range and Long Range Ultra up to 236kW, while the PowerX can take up to 123kW.
Minimalism is almost the norm with new Chinese cars these days, but Xpeng puts its own twist on the formula with hidden vents for a cleaner, more seamless layout. A huge 15.6-inch Ultra HD touchscreen takes center stage, while the two-spoke steering wheel keeps the number of physical buttons to a minimum. There’s a digital instrument display in front of the driver, but Xpeng also throws in a massive 26.8-inch Ultra-Wide Heads-Up Display with an auto light sensor.
The touchscreen runs XOS 6, which features a natural-dialogue interface and multilingual support. Google Maps is built in, allowing for easier navigation without relying on smartphone mirroring. There’s also a rich app ecosystem, all-scenario voice control, and what Xpeng calls seamless interaction design.
The front seats are available with heating and ventilation on the RWD Long Range Ultra. The driver also gets either a 14-point massage seat or a seat with four-way pneumatic lumbar support, depending on the variant.
The list of appointments in the L03 gets ridiculous the further you read. There are velvet pillars and a velvet headliner, a 256-color wraparound ambient lighting system, and an Xpeng Xopera surround sound system with up to 20 speakers. A panoramic glass roof provides 99.9 percent UV protection and 97 percent visible-light rejection. Dual-zone climate control and rear air vents are also standard. Families will appreciate the 37 storage spaces scattered throughout the cabin. There are also 40 expansion points in the form of screw and magnetic ports, hooks, and pogo-pin ports.
Cargo space stands at 539 liters and can be expanded to 1,640 liters with the rear seats folded flat. The EV variants also get an additional 102-liter frunk, while a 10-liter extra-large rear-seat drawer provides another useful storage area.
The L03 also brings a five-star 2024 C-NCAP rating, with Euro NCAP and ANCAP ratings planned for 2027. It has 17 Advanced Driver Assistance System features, including some less common ones such as Driver Incapacitation Assist and Blowout Stability Control, alongside the usual Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, and Blind Spot Detection.
Parking is also covered by a robust Flexible Parking Assist system that can operate even without markers on the ground.
The Xpeng L03 starts at PHP 1,548,000 for the EV Standard, followed by the REEV at PHP 1,598,000. The L03 Long Range starts at PHP 1,698,000, while the Long Range Ultra was the first variant to have its price revealed at PHP 2,058,000.
It will be available in Phantom Purple, Rock Gray, Midnight Black, Arctic White, and Silver Frost.
The warranty package is also substantial, with two years of free PMS, five years of free roadside assistance, a five-year vehicle warranty, and an eight-year warranty for the battery and electric motor. Customers also get a 7kW wall charger, while the REEV comes with a 3.5kW portable charger.
Xpeng X9
Affluent families will certainly find the X9 enticing. Xpeng went all out with its appointments, and that attention to detail extends across practically every part of the vehicle.
There are two variants, with the main difference being the second-row seating. The X9 starts at PHP 3,858,000, while the Second Row Premium Seat Package brings the price to PHP 4,058,000.
The X9 is big to say the least. It measures 5,316mm long, 1,988mm wide, and 1,785mm tall, with a 3,160mm wheelbase. Despite its monolithic Starship design language, Xpeng managed to keep the drag coefficient down to 0.236. That means this massive MPV can still remain relatively efficient at higher speeds, helped by its Aero Optimized Design and active grille shutters on the front bumper.
Unlike the L03, the X9 is available exclusively as an EV, producing 320 PS and 450 Nm of torque. Despite its size, it can sprint from 0 to 100kph in 7.75 seconds and reach a top speed of 200kph.
A 110-kWh battery gives it a claimed 615km WLTP range. It supports up to 11kW of AC charging, taking the battery from 5 to 100 percent in around 11 hours. DC fast charging can reach up to 542kW, allowing a 10-to-80-percent charge in as little as 12 minutes. Efficiency is estimated at 5km/kWh. It also gets 6kW Vehicle-to-Load capability, allowing owners to power devices and small appliances directly from the vehicle.
The X9 is just as interesting mechanically. Rear-wheel steering can turn the rear wheels by up to five degrees, allowing this 5.3-meter MPV to achieve a surprisingly tight 5.4-meter turning circle. The system also helps with lane changes. It is also fitted with dual-chamber air suspension with pre-scanning adjustment and height settings ranging from 100 to 190mm.
While the design direction is similar to the L03, the X9’s cabin is vastly different in character. It follows the same basic layout, but the vents are less sleek than those of the L03. The center console also sits higher, creating space for two 50W wireless chargers and a refrigerator underneath the center armrest, complete with heating and cooling functions.
Both front seats come with massage, heating, and ventilation. The driver gets a well-appointed 12-way powered seat with four-way lumbar support, memory function, and a welcome function.
The standard second row is already impressive on its own. It gets 14-way electric adjustment, four-way lumbar support, heated leg rests, and zero-gravity seats. Passengers also get heating, ventilation, memory, and 10-point massage functions. There is also 180mm of space between the seats, allowing passengers to reach the third row.
The Premium Seat Package takes things even further with 18-way electric adjustment, four-way headrests, powered leg rests, and 16-point massage for its zero-gravity seats. Because of the sheer size of these seats, however, the center aisle disappears.
The third row isn’t forgotten either. Its headrests and backrests can be electrically adjusted, while a one-click folding function can be accessed from the cargo area. They also have a heating function.
What makes the X9 particularly interesting across the MPV segment is its ventilation system. It gets five-zone climate control, complemented by tiny ventilation holes in the second and third rows to improve air circulation.
Screens are also everywhere. The X9 gets a larger 17.3-inch central touchscreen, a 21.4-inch rear entertainment screen, and a 21-inch heads-up display.
Powering devices is easy as well, thanks to five USB Type-C ports and two 12V sockets. Other amenities include a 27-speaker Xopera sound system, driver headrest speakers, electric soft-close front doors, powered sliding doors, and one-click access to the third row.
Xpeng also promises enough luggage space for everyone on board. There are 721 liters available behind the third row, expanding to 2,554 liters when the seats are folded.
Safety is just as comprehensive as it is on the L03. The X9 comes with nine airbags as standard, along with 16 Advanced Driver Assistance features. It also packs 12 cameras, three millimeter-wave radars, and 12 sensors around the vehicle.
Parking is made easier through its Intelligent Parking features, which include Enhanced Auto Parking Assist, Auto Exit Parking, Remote Parking, and Remote Vehicle Summon.
The Xpeng X9 will be available in Midnight Black, Matte Gray, Silver Frost, and Arctic White, with interior colors ranging from Meteorite Black to Coffee. It also gets five years of free PMS, five years of free roadside assistance, a five-year vehicle warranty, and an eight-year warranty for the battery and electric motor. A 7kW wall charger is also included for home charging.
