Chaotic Configuration of XPeng G9

Since the flagship SUV model G9 of XPeng Motors was launched, its stock prices in the US and Hong Kong have hit historic lows.

Although He XPeng has full confidence in G9, claiming it is a benchmark of the intelligent car era that boasts monthly sales exceeding Audi Q5, rivals Porsche Cayenne and Mercedes GLS, and even boxing against Tesla Model Y…

Capital markets seem to disagree.

If we look at the product strength of G9 itself, there have not been significant problems in either exterior or interior design, and there are many highlighted features, such as fast charging, low energy consumption, and strong intelligence, especially in the aspects of intelligent cockpit and intelligent driving, and claimed to be a “benchmark” in the industry.

In particular, G9 made the very mature XPilot 4.0 system (high-speed NGP, ACC, LCC, VPA, etc.) a standard configuration, except for the entry-level model; which is actually something worth recognition.

So, where is the problem?

I believe (this is not “in hindsight”, nor do I intend to teach Mr. He XPeng how to run his business, it is merely a rational discussion):

1. G9 was launched too late: If launched in April-May, chances could have been greater. At that time, new energy SUV models like NIO ES7, LI L9, WM M7/M5 EV, Avita AJ11, etc., had not yet been released. Looking further down the line, there are even more cost-effective models like LI L8. It’s only a matter of a few months, but the market for large and medium-sized new energy SUVs in China suddenly became extremely competitive.

2. The problem lies in the price range of G9: A span of 16,000 yuan, between 310,000-470,000 yuan, wanting everything, but may not do everything well. In addition, even random selection of configurations will cost over 400,000 yuan, which is not surprising to many long-awaited potential customers. Buying XPeng for more than 400,000 yuan is still something that consumers need to adapt to and accept, but this is something XPeng must do to move forward. The lowest-priced version, 570G, although lowered the barrier to entry, has almost no ability in intelligent driving, so shipments will not be significant.

In response to the configuration of the entry-level model, He XPeng also responded: “The 570G model was made based on user opinions, and there are still many users who only need a basic electric car, and there needs to be a balance between them.“

3. The configuration planning (SKU) of the model is too confusing, following the pattern of traditional fuel vehicle companies: G9 has a total of six models, three ranges, and three optional packages. Consumers will be confused about whether there is a standard configuration of a laser radar, exactly how many Nvidia Orin automatic driving chips were used, and whether you can choose batteries with 3C/4C charging rates. The entry-level version of the car model has almost no ability in intelligent driving and no space for optional configuration.

Not to mention the selection of exterior colors, interior colors, and wheel styles, which are somewhat complicated.After the press conference, XPeng Motors felt that it was difficult for consumers to choose, and released a model configuration guide. Through the combination of various configurations, three priority options were obtained: 570E, 702E, and 650X.

Regarding SKU issues, He XPeng responded in a media interview: “In fact, the G9’s SKU is simplified compared to previous models, but there are indeed some comprehension thresholds regarding configuration abilities and logic, and this issue will be thought about for another one to two days, and the problem will be improved as soon as possible.”

I wonder what optimization plan XPeng will come up with in two days.

After the announcement of the G9’s price, many potential customers chose to cancel their orders, while others hesitated among several competing models and ultimately chose other brands. On the one hand, the price was not surprising, and on the other hand, many highlight features such as ultra-fast charging batteries, XNGP full-scene assistant driving, dual motors, and dual-chamber air suspension require more expensive models to obtain.

In fact, XPeng Motors had previously adjusted its sales strategy, hoping to make advanced intelligent driving assistance functions available to more consumers, so it made it a standard feature on many models. XPeng also hoped to use this strategy to increase vehicle prices and advance towards the high-end market, which was a gradual and reasonable plan. However, the approach for G9 was different, with a focus on optional configurations, which diminished the enthusiasm of many consumers.

“At the G9 launch conference, He XPeng said that G9’s sales volume next year should exceed Audi Q5 (Audi Q5 sold over 12,000 units in August), but in a later media interview, He XPeng changed his statement: the delivery expectation is to exceed XPeng P7 (P7’s average monthly sales reached nearly 6,000 units in the first eight months of this year).”

Despite the SKU confusion and consumer complaints, let’s help everyone sort out the current G9 models and see how to choose.

How to Choose G9?

XPeng G9 currently has:

• 6 models: 570G, 570E/650E/702E, 650X Performance Edition/650X Launch Edition
• 3 endurance versions: 570km, 650km, and 702km, all under CLTC test conditions
• 3 optional packages: 5D Music Cabin for 22,000 RMB, XNGP Assistant Driving for 28,000 RMB, and 4C Ultra-Fast Charging Battery Pack for 10,000 RMB.

It is not difficult to choose the range, exterior and interior colors, and wheel styles, but how to match the optional packages of intelligence and battery packs is really a headache.

Here is a brief summary:

1. Single or dual motor: the difference in acceleration time and suspension

• Dual motor + dual cavity air spring: 650X Performance Edition / 650X Launch Anniversary Edition
• Single motor + air spring: 570G, 570E/650E/702E

2. 5D music cabin, yes or no: whether there is immersive sound experience and comprehensive comfort configuration

• Optional 5D music cabin: 570E/650E/702E
• Standard 5D music cabin: 650X Performance Edition / 650X Launch Anniversary Edition
• Not available for 5D music cabin: 570G

3. Whether there is XNGP package, yes or no: the difference between supporting urban driving assistance or not

• Standard laser radar, optional XNGP: 650E/702E
• Standard laser radar, standard XNGP: 650X Performance Edition / 650X Launch Anniversary Edition
• Without laser radar, not available for XNGP: 570G, 570E

4. Whether there is 4C fast-charging battery pack, yes or no: the difference between 130+km range with 5-minute charging and 200km range

• Optional 4C fast-charging battery pack: 650X Performance Edition
• Not available for 4C fast-charging battery pack (standard 3C battery pack): 570G, 570E/650E/702E, 650X Launch Anniversary Edition

The following is the translated English Markdown text, while keeping the HTML tags inside the Markdown and only outputting the end result:

For the 650E model, you can only choose between the 5D Music Cabin and XNGP Advanced Driving Assistance Package. If you want both, just choose the 650X model.

Thus, the 570G and 570E are low-end G9 models, while the 650E and 702E are mid-range models. 650X Performance / 650X Launch Edition are high-end models.

For personal selection, if you’re not very interested in XNGP, choose the combination of 570E+5D Intelligent Cabin for 352,000 yuan, which is more cost-effective, as high-speed NGP, ACC, and LCC are all standard. If you’re interested in XNGP, then choose either 650E or 702E with an additional XNGP Advanced Driving Assistance Package for 378,000-428,000 yuan, which is totally worth it. If you want all the options and money is not an issue, then choose the two high-end models.

The “G”, “E”, and “X” in G9 models represent the vehicle’s intelligent capabilities, including intelligent cabins and intelligent driving. If we follow XPeng’s previous model configuration, G9 still lacks the “P” and “N” models. Will there be any surprises in the future?

What’s G9’s Strengths?

This time, XPeng G9’s car positioning is: Super Fast Charging Full Intelligent Flagship SUV.

• Super Fast Charging: 800V High Voltage Platform, High-rate Charging Battery, and High-power Charging Network

• Full Intelligent: XNGP provides a more advanced intelligent cabin and full-scenario intelligent assisted driving

• Flagship: The price is set at 350,000-470,000 yuan. Exterior and interior texture and driving quality all match the flagship positioning.

Let’s take a closer look.

1. Super Fast Charging: 800V High Voltage Platform + 3C Battery as the Standard, and 4C Battery as the Bonus

The 800V high voltage platform, standard 3C fast-charging battery, and optional 4C super fast-charging battery, in combination with the deployment of high-power charging stations/ piles, enables XPeng to boost charging efficiency and solve range anxiety issues for all-electric vehicles without significantly increasing battery capacity. After all, He XPeng doesn’t like hybrids or show any interest in battery swapping.

This solution is thoroughly incorporated into the G9 model, but some people have criticized that the 4C super fast-charging battery is only available for the 650X Performance version and that it’s not good enough.

As we know, the G9 3C model’s battery cell suppliers are Ningde Times and CITIC Guoan Information Industry, which provide two different battery solutions – ternary lithium cell and lithium iron phosphate cell. Meanwhile, Xinwangda provides the battery cells for the G9 4C super fast-charging battery, with limited production capacity, which may be an important factor that affects XPeng’s configuration of this battery cell in some G9 models, and delivery of these models will also be later.

Regarding specific parameters:The maximum battery capacity of the XPeng G9 is 98 kWh. With the 800V high-voltage platform and the XPeng S4 super fast-charging station with a power of 480 kW, the 4C version only needs 15 minutes and the 3C version takes less than 20 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%. The maximum power of the 4C super fast-charging battery is about 430 kW. Using the XPeng S4 super fast-charging station, it is possible to charge for 5 minutes to add 200 km of range, while the power of the 3C version is lower, around 300 kW, and can add 130+ km of range in 5 minutes. Of course, the peak power cannot be sustained for too long, and it depends on whether it is suitable for reaching the peak power.

According to other similar vehicle’s test data, it takes about 40 minutes to charge a 3C version G9 model, which has a range of 650 km, from 15% to 95% battery, regardless of whether it is charged on a 120 kW, 180 kW, 400 kW, or 480 kW charging station, and the peak charging power will not exceed 300 kW, and the duration of the peak power is very short.

However, this charging efficiency is already very good. When XPeng expands the density of its S4 super fast-charging stations, the charging experience will be even better. The more pressing issue is whether the current power grid infrastructure can support such a large-scale demand for super fast charging.

According to XPeng’s plan:

• By the end of 2022, XPeng plans to have more than 50 S4 super fast-charging stations in operation in core cities across the country;

• By the end of 2023, XPeng plans to cover at least 500 S4 super fast-charging stations in key cities across the country;

• In 2025, XPeng’s goal is to build a cumulative total of 2,000 super fast-charging stations.

It can be foreseen that this will be a huge investment.

(2) Intelligent driving: ambitions to achieve full-scene coverage by 2024

XPeng has been moving very quickly and aggressively in the intelligent driving field, with automatic parking on the XPeng G3, high-speed NGP on the XPeng P7, and city NGP with lidar on the XPeng P5. According to He XPeng, the XNGP system will achieve point-to-point intelligent navigation-assisted driving in 2024, covering full-scene parking and driving. Moreover, the G9 is XPeng’s last vehicle in the era of intelligent vehicles before entering the era of autonomous driving, which means that XPeng’s next vehicle will be capable of autonomous driving.

In fact, the XNGP assisted driving package is one of the main selling points of the G9 in the automotive industry, and its most attractive features are city NGP and the possibility of future full-range connectivity. However, like Tesla’s FSD, XNGP is expensive, discouraging some potential buyers.

In my opinion, the most valuable option small consumers can get from the G9 is the XPilot 4.0 system, which is standard on all G9 models except for the entry-level 570G.

“G9 comes with XPilot 4.0 as standard on all models except the 570G entry-level model, which includes newly rewritten high-speed NGP, ACC, LCC, VPA and more.“

The 570E model lacks a front-mounted laser radar, so the XNGP optional package is not available and only has a single NVIDIA Orin chip, since the XPilot 4.0 system does not require a dual-chip configuration.

The 702E and 650E performance models have front-mounted laser radar and can be equipped with XNGP, but the standard XPilot 4.0 package is sufficient, which is also configured with a single NVIDIA Orin chip.

The other two higher-end G9 models come standard with XNGP and provide a more complete experience with more potential for future upgrades.

In terms of hardware, G9 has made some improvements: NVIDIA Xavier chips have been replaced with NVIDIA Orin chips with a total computing power of 508 TOPS; the camera pixels are also higher, reaching 8 million pixels; the suppliers of laser radar have been changed from DJI Livox to Suteng Juchuang, but still insist on using two lasers placed on the front headlights instead of the top of the vehicle, which are also equipped with more durable protective covers.

(3) Intelligent Cockpit: Benchmarking with Voice Interaction

On the intelligent cockpit, P7 and P5 have already laid a solid foundation.

G9 also adopts the horizontal large screen design, which is similar to that of the ideal L9, with a 10.25-inch all-liquid crystal instrument panel and dual 14.96-inch 2K central control auxiliary driving screens.

The appearance of the central control screen can currently be ranked among the top three in China. The treatment of the black border and the thickness of the screen are all well done, in combination with the UI designed by XPeng, it won’t make people feel cheap.

Especially, this central control system equipped with a 3D human-computer interaction system, based on Unity engine technology development, can render 3D maps in real-time and provide a broader and more detailed SR environmental simulation display. The display effect of the in-car navigation will be very immersive. In addition, it can also visualize the detailed status of vehicle details such as window and suspension control. How cool it is to play with the screen is a big skill of these intelligent car manufacturers nowadays.

When XPilot or XNGP is enabled, this SR display will also play an important role, giving the driver enough driving confidence and explicitly informing the driver (through sound, picture, vibration, etc.) that the system is stabilizing and controlling the vehicle, and everything is under control.

On the XPeng G9, XPeng’s full-scene voice has been upgraded again.

The local function of voice has been optimized. In the case of no network connection or poor network signal, it can also interact with more than 600 vehicle functions through “Little P”. Because these resource libraries are all local and can be called at any time.

For some less commonly used features, they need to be used in cooperation with the cloud library. Use local if you can, and use the cloud if you can’t. The integration of voice and cloud has greatly improved the response speed of G9’s voice interaction.

There are many optimizations for full-scene voice. The four-tone zone recognition technology has been brought to the extreme. Trying it in the car is more intuitive:

• No need to wake up multiple times for voice commands issued in different positions on the car;

• Can recognize continuous commands between different members, such as the driver saying “open the window,” and the co-driver can say “me too”;

• A segment of interaction can simultaneously contain demands for 4 commands, which can respond to positional interaction demands through the driver’s loudspeaker, co-driver’s Bluetooth headset, and audio system;

• The voice assistant can execute different commands from the four people in the car simultaneously.

• ……Finally, the immersive sound system on G9 is a highlight. It consists of 28 acoustic units with a total output of 2250W, including 18 advanced Danaher Hi-Fi speakers, as Danaher and XPeng have a deep and successful partnership. The G9 audio system also supports Dolby panoramic sound and has been professionally calibrated by industry experts to make you feel like you’re in a theater while sitting in the car.

To complement this audio system, XPeng has reached content partnerships with many audio and video providers so that drivers won’t get bored while in the G9.

In fact, most of the G9 models have a rich set of intelligent features, such as Xmart 4.0 infotainment system, full-scene voice interactions, XPilot 4.0 (including high-speed NGP), and more. However, people’s attention has been drawn to the optional package, especially the XNGP package. In my opinion, mature XPilot 4.0 can satisfy our needs for 3-5 years, and the popularity of urban NGP is restricted by regulations, road infrastructure, high-precision map coverage, etc. I believe many XPeng P7 owners have experienced that it’s better to use XPilot 4.0 instead of feeling awkward using urban NGP.

Regarding driving quality, those without real-life driving experiences don’t have much authority to speak. However, from a hardware perspective, with 405kW dual-motor total output and 3.9s fastest zero to one hundred acceleration, G9’s intelligent dual-compartment air suspension is equipped with flagship functions. The feedback from auto reviewers has been positive in terms of driving experience, but most consumers choose G9 mainly for its intelligent features, and driving quality is only the basic option.

As for G9’s exterior and interior design, space, and comfort features, there’s no need to dwell on them. Fortunately, these aspects are not its weaknesses.

This is a balanced SUV model that XPeng believes has achieved excellence in all aspects, with industry benchmarking intelligent features. Will it capture the hearts of consumers? Currently, market feedback is not optimistic, but we don’t have to rush to conclusions. Consumer psychology, needs, and brand marketing strategies may all affect the results, so let’s wait and see what XPeng’s next move is.

Interestingly, just ten days after G9’s launch, Ideal L8, an upgraded model of Ideal ONE, is poised to be released and compete for sales during the National Day holiday. It’s time to test G9’s combat power.

This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.