Xiaopeng G3 520 EV in Shanghai
Discussion
Hello!
I am living in Shanghai China, where I have been for the past decade or so. Being a petrolhead in China is not easy - no cars over 20 years of age, very robust second hand market, hefty license plate restrictions plus slow traffic in most cities.
However, there are some epic roads and drives across China.
I have just bought myself a Xpeng G3, an electric car which was released last year and has the backing of Alibaba and Xiaomi (phones and gadgets etc).
We ordered the G3 520 in October and just took delivery of it on Christmas Eve.
Amazingly solid car, whilst I think the range is over estimated, its great for city driving. More updates to follow...(any questions, let me know!)
I am living in Shanghai China, where I have been for the past decade or so. Being a petrolhead in China is not easy - no cars over 20 years of age, very robust second hand market, hefty license plate restrictions plus slow traffic in most cities.
However, there are some epic roads and drives across China.
I have just bought myself a Xpeng G3, an electric car which was released last year and has the backing of Alibaba and Xiaomi (phones and gadgets etc).
We ordered the G3 520 in October and just took delivery of it on Christmas Eve.
Amazingly solid car, whilst I think the range is over estimated, its great for city driving. More updates to follow...(any questions, let me know!)
It cost me about 160,000 RMB, which is around 17,000GBP. Thats after 7,500 USD of subsidies. Plus my number plate is free. If it were a petrol car, it would cost be 10,000 pounds just for the plate!
They have not been shy about using the Open-source patents that Tesla released over the last few years. So a lot of the battery tech (liquid cooling of the battery pack) have been used. A LOT of influences can be seen on the car - but its not a crappy 'copy Tesla' exercise. They are currently using batteries from CATL, which Tesla will use after their Panasonic contract ends.
Interior is great for the price - stitched leather, electric seats etc. Very large screen, which only shows Chinese apps at the moment (15 inches) and the centre console is very similar to Tesla. It feels like a large VW Golf, or close to a Qashqai in size.
I have only driven it for 3 days on Eco mode so far, but its been very smooth.
They are way too generous in their 520km mileage claim - I think in traffic in Shanghai with no air-con or heating, it may be possible, but as soon as you start using anything in the car, it will go down.
Only other complaint would be the middle seat in the back has no headrest.
Pic of inside I can take tomorrow, its late night in Shanghai now
They have not been shy about using the Open-source patents that Tesla released over the last few years. So a lot of the battery tech (liquid cooling of the battery pack) have been used. A LOT of influences can be seen on the car - but its not a crappy 'copy Tesla' exercise. They are currently using batteries from CATL, which Tesla will use after their Panasonic contract ends.
Interior is great for the price - stitched leather, electric seats etc. Very large screen, which only shows Chinese apps at the moment (15 inches) and the centre console is very similar to Tesla. It feels like a large VW Golf, or close to a Qashqai in size.
I have only driven it for 3 days on Eco mode so far, but its been very smooth.
They are way too generous in their 520km mileage claim - I think in traffic in Shanghai with no air-con or heating, it may be possible, but as soon as you start using anything in the car, it will go down.
Only other complaint would be the middle seat in the back has no headrest.
Pic of inside I can take tomorrow, its late night in Shanghai now
What a unfounded concern to have, the original batteries for iPhones are already made in China, millions (if not billions) have been sold with none spontaneously combusting.
I'd be far more worried about the state of older ICE powered cars already on UK roads with perished rubber fuel hoses.
If this came out in the UK at £17k it would clean up the established competition, imo it looks better than the Tesla 3.
I'd be far more worried about the state of older ICE powered cars already on UK roads with perished rubber fuel hoses.
If this came out in the UK at £17k it would clean up the established competition, imo it looks better than the Tesla 3.
Mercury00 said:
The only thing that concerns me about Chinese electric cars is that I'm always reading stories like "I bought an iPhone battery from China, and it exploded and killed me", so thinking about a car doing the same is quite scary.
China have some new regs for PHEV & EV batteries coming into force the middle of next year which will put them ahead of the rest of the word for mitigating the effects of thermal runaway. I would imagine new model domestic cars like this already meet it. Interesting car OP, so much we never get to see over here!
austinsmirk said:
Fantastic. I’d buy that tomorrow in the uk if it were up at 17 k. The base model ev mg,s are about £23k.
Was 17k not after subsidy though? Before the subsidy would have it up around 23k, and it wont have been through all the euro ncap and type approval unlike the MG.Looks fantastic though, I'd bet they would be a good seller if they could reach these shores at a reasonable price with some decent aftersales support. Looking forward to hearing more about it.
Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Sunday 29th December 20:51
I think you made a good choice getting it in white, a really nice colour for the shape.
A review of it here: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/xpeng/g3/firs...
Doesn't look as good in red, but looks like a really decent day to day car, hopefully one day they get round to importing them.
Do you think it would pass an IVA?
The future looks bright.
A review of it here: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/xpeng/g3/firs...
Doesn't look as good in red, but looks like a really decent day to day car, hopefully one day they get round to importing them.
Do you think it would pass an IVA?
The future looks bright.
Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Sunday 29th December 22:53
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