Alibaba-backed Xpeng EV maker teases the upcoming electric sedan

KUALA LUMPUR: As we know that China has the largest automobile market worldwide, in terms of both demand and supply; the country is now gearing up for the electric car segment as well. The homegrown electric car startup, rivals to Tesla, are not only recording new highs in sales but also coming forward with their new models. 

A couple of days back, EV maker Nio announced a luxury electric sedan that will be revealed on January 9,  and now, the Chinese automaker Xpeng, backed by Alibaba Group is all set to add a third model in its lineup, which is also an electric sedan.

XPeng teased the EV through a series of images on its social media handle, although very few details were shared along with it. It is not yet clear whether it will be positioned above or below the ongoing P7 sedan in the company’s product range; however, it appears smaller in teasers.

Talking about the P7 technical specifications, the EV is equipped with two electric motors that generate a combined output of 430 hp. The P7 can run from naught to 100 kmph in a little over four seconds, while it can return up to 350 miles of drive range in the NEDC cycle with a 70.8 kWh battery pack. The upcoming model is supposed to be even more capable.

Another strong hint about the upcoming model is the inclusion of lidar sensors as part of the advanced driver-assist system. This is because Xpeng’s CEO He Xiaopeng revealed at the Guangzhou Auto Show back in November that the company would be releasing the first mass-production model with lidar technology vehicle in 2021.

The said sensors use an invisible laser beam that scans and forms a detailed 3D image of surroundings on the display screen. Most self-driving development programs incorporate lidar sensors. So does it mean Xpeng’s upcoming car is a self-driving car? Stay tuned with us to know.

Also read: Tesla updates the Model 3, gets enhanced performance, new features & colour options