XPeng gives its P7 electric sedan a sporty makeover

XPeng is rolling out a fresh version of its popular P7 electric sedan, giving the stylish four-door a significant update. Known internally as the E29 during its development, the updated car will carry the familiar P7 nameplate, suggesting it is a direct evolution of the model that first hit the road back in 2020. This is the first big refresh for the P7, a car that played a huge role in putting XPeng on the map.

When the first XPeng P7 arrived, its sleek look helped it quickly become the company's star player. For example, in 2021, this one model made up over 61% of all the vehicles XPeng delivered that year. Even in 2022, it still accounted for nearly half of their sales. XPeng did introduce the P7i later as a kind of follow-up, and recently launched an all-new P7+ sedan.

For this new iteration of the P7, the design team aimed for a sportier feel compared to the original's more family-friendly vibe. Led by Rafik Ferrag, the same designer who penned the first P7, the updated exterior shares some styling cues with the larger P7+ sedan, especially at the front and rear. The new P7 adds its own unique touches, and exterior details spied on test cars include door handles that sit flush with the body, side mirrors without bulky frames, and a spoiler at the back that can pop up or tuck away. The overall shape keeps the fastback look that the P7 is known for.

XPeng hasn't officially shown off the cabin, but spy photos give us hints. It looks like the new P7 will feature a large screen in the center console, a steering wheel with circular buttons, and maybe even a fancy purple leather option. On the technology front, expect the latest version of XPeng's in-car software, called Xmart OS 2.0. This system handles things like voice commands and might even include an augmented reality HUD.

The car is also expected to feature advanced driver assistance systems that use cameras to see the world around the car, most likely powered by a new XPeng chip called Turing. This would be a change for some XPeng models that use laser-based (LiDAR) systems. A trunk lid that opens wide like a hatchback is also anticipated, making it easier to load bigger items.

There's talk that the new P7 might use XPeng's "Kunpeng" EV platform. While the company hasn't spilled all the beans on power or range, industry watchers believe it will at least match the current P7i, which offers up to 348 kilowatts of power in its all-wheel-drive version and can travel up to 436 miles on a single charge based on China's CLTC test cycle. There's even some chatter about this new platform being able to handle systems that use a small engine to charge the battery for longer range (EREV), but XPeng hasn't confirmed any plans for that type of version.

XPeng's CEO, He Xiaopeng, has been spotted testing camouflaged versions of the new car, showing the company is putting it through its paces. XPeng even applied for a trademark for the name "P7 Ultra," which could potentially be the name for this updated model, though that's still being sorted out. The new P7 will be fully revealed in the third quarter of 2025, possibly at the big Guangzhou Auto Show in China.

Via