A NEW FORM OF SPACE TRAVEL (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

The Xpeng X9 aims to re-set expectations for what a huge full-electric luxury MPV can be. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 31

Chinese maker Xpeng turns its attention to the segment for luxury super-large MPVs with this X9 model. There's plush passenger-carrying capacity for seven in all-electric silence. And plenty of technology too.

Backgroundword count: 127

'A new benchmark for premium mobility'. That's what the Xpeng X9 is, according to its Chinese maker. In this case, the 'premium mobility' in question refers to the segment for super-large luxury MPVs and it's a claim we've already recently heard in this sector applied to products like the Volkswagen ID.Buzz Seven-Seat and the Mercedes VLE. Xpeng thinks, rightly, that there's space in this class for something more luxurious and spacious than the lwb ID.Buzz but less pricey than the Mercedes - and hopes to have nailed that remit with this X9. Though very Chinese in outlook, this seven-seat People Carrier is actually European-built (in Austria by Magna Steyr) and aims to 'redefine the standard for style and technology in all-electric MPVs'. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 266

As it should be, the X9 drive experience is all about cosseting its passengers. And built around dual-chamber air suspension with what Xpeng calls an 'AI chassis'. This uses a camera system to identify bumps, potholes and road undulations 30 metres before you reach them so that the springs glide you over road imperfections. The mainstream powertrain choice is between either a Standard Range 84.5kWh model with 332 miles of range. Or a Long Range 101.5kWh variant with 382 miles of range. Both use a front-mounted electric motor with 320PS and 450Nm of torque, which accelerates this big MPV to 62mph in either 8.2s or 7.75s respectively, en route 124mph. The other alternative is the twin motor X9 AWD, which adds an extra rear axle motor to facilitate intelligent all-wheel drive and boost power to 503PS with 640Nm of torque. The 0-62mph sprint time is 5.9s. The same 101.5kWh Long range battery is used and range is rated at 360 miles. Expect all X9s to be surprisingly manoeuvrable around town thanks to a rear-axle steering system that turns the rear wheels by up to 5-degrees to facilitate a 10.8-metre turning circle (the same as a MINI Cooper). As you'd expect, there are a whole host of semi-autonomous ADAS systems, with much of the functionality operated by the right-hand column stalk. With everything engaged, the X9 can drive safely straight on the highway, automatically maintain a safe distance to the vehicle in front, come to a full stop on its own then automatically start off again, assist with lane changes and account for and avoid surrounding traffic.

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