Since last year, we have referred to it as the first year of Chinese brand SUVs, with major manufacturers beginning to layout their own SUV products. Xiaopeng Motors cannot be absent. Here comes its first mid-size MPV, the Xiaopeng X9. With a whole bunch of highlights such as the global 800V high-voltage silicon carbide platform, the first standard rear-wheel steering in MPVs, and standard intelligent dual-chamber air suspension throughout the range. At the same time, at today’s auto show press conference, He Xiaopeng announced the start of pre-sales for the X9, with prices starting at 388,000 yuan (54300$).
The car, as teased by He Xiaopeng on Weibo at the time, used a term – “youthful MPV”. So how did he do it? First of all, looking at the overall appearance, it is indeed very different from the traditional impression of an MPV. The entire body posture is very sporty, with a sense of readiness like a sports car. Speaking of impact, its A-pillar has a 21° tilt angle, bringing a sharp sense of diving to the front of the car. The front face adopts a familial design feature, with a very eye-catching continuous light strip, and the lower headlight group has a similarly sharp shape. Looking at the lower grille, it is officially called the “flying saucer fleet”, and the frameless design is full of a sense of the future.
Arriving at the side of the car, it is close to 5.3 meters in length, with a wheelbase of 3160mm, positioning it as a mid-sized MPV. The design of the side of the car is also breaking away from the traditional and mediocre look of an MPV. The angle of the A-pillar is more pronounced from the side, and while ensuring the internal space, the roof has a sleek design, and the contour lines of the body are very bold, combined with the angular design on the body, this side is really powerful. Let’s go inside and see how the specific interior space is.
Moving to the rear of the car, the Xiaopeng X9 continues to redefine your inherent impression of the MPV. Look at the 23° large angle rear windshield, isn’t it particularly unique? At the same time, this design can also reduce wind resistance. Looking further down, its lines are very three-dimensional, and the integrated taillights are embedded with the illuminated XPENG logo, showcasing its identity symbol.
Sitting inside, a familiar sense of Xiaopeng style washes over you. Yes, the entire cabin design also stands out for its simplicity, with a technological interior atmosphere. For example, the air vents on the center console have a strong design sense and are very characteristic of Xiaopeng. The real-life car model uses a light-colored interior, which highlights the simplicity and luxury.
The vehicle features a 2+2+3 seating layout, with the second row consisting of two independent seats. In front of the seats, there is a small table, making it convenient for working or for family members to eat. The seats come with electric adjustment, heating, ventilation, and are fully equipped. Moving up, there is a 21.4-inch rear screen that supports 0-75° electric adjustment, providing the best viewing experience for any seat. Looking at the top of the car, the ambient lighting creates a 3.6-meter long, damn sense of ceremony. The features don’t stop there, as it also has an industry-first integrated hot and cold electric refrigerator, with a leading 10.8L capacity that can hold 8 bottles of 570ml mineral water. The Xopera 23-speaker sound system is the most in its class, with a 7.1.6 multi-channel sound system and a maximum 2180w output power in its class.
The third row of MPV is generally not popular, but this car claims to have the strongest third row. Let’s take a look at its performance. The backrest of the third row can be infinitely electrically adjusted from 0 to 176°, meeting the sitting posture needs of family members with different body types. Then the third-row seats can be magically stored with one-touch electric operation: after the third row is stored, it instantly transforms into a business-class four-seater; the second-row seats move forward, creating a super-large flat floor in the entire rear compartment. This car also has a sunken luggage compartment, making full use of the rear space, with an expandable capacity of 755-2554L.
So this car has two unique features. First, it is the only MPV in the world with a standard active rear-wheel steering system, which has two benefits: making U-turns easier and providing a more agile and safer driving experience. Second, it is the only car in China with a standard intelligent dual-chamber air suspension, which can raise or lower the car by 40mm or 50mm for easier entry and exit, and adjust damping in real time for improved comfort on bumpy roads. In terms of power, the car offers a single-motor and dual-motor four-wheel drive version for consumers to choose from. The former has a maximum power of 235 kW, while the front motor of the latter has a maximum power of 235 kW and the rear motor has a power of 135 kW. The CLTC has three versions with ranges of 610, 640, and 702km.