Xpeng G6 to get dual-motor, AWD version in Malaysia – new electric car coming soon, X9 MPV coming soon?
The Xpeng G6 launched in Malaysia in two versions, both rear-wheel drive but with different power and battery capacities. This may disappoint buyers who were expecting the Tesla Model Y rival, which is also offered with four-wheel drive, which is currently available in China.
However, Alan Ma, Xpeng’s director of overseas product planning, revealed in a press conference after the G6’s launch that Malaysia will get an AWD option in the future. “Don’t worry, Malaysia will have it,” Ma said when asked if the G6 would get an AWD variant. According to him, Xpeng’s product strategy for the global market depends on the local environment, which may have different requirements.
In China, the AWD version of the G6 is called the 700 4WD High Performance Max (literally translated), and features a dual-motor setup rated at 487 PS (480 hp or 358 kW) and 660 Nm of torque. This allows for a 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 202 km/h, while an 87.5 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery provides a range of up to 700 km under China’s extremely generous CLTC standard.
By comparison, the highest-spec G6 variant here – the 755 Pro – offers 286 PS (282 hp or 210 kW) and 440 Nm from its rear-mounted electric motor, for a 0-100 time of 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h. It uses the same battery as the AWD, but has a range of up to 755 km (CLTC) or 570 km (WLTP).
The 700 4WD High Performance Max is the most expensive version of the G6 in China, retailing at 276,900 yuan (about RM169k). The G6 we have in Malaysia is priced between RM165,820 and RM185,820, which is significantly lower than the Model Y which starts at RM191,000 for the base rear-wheel drive version.
Higher-spec variants of the Model Y cost more – the Long Range All-Wheel Drive is priced at RM238,000 and the Performance is priced at RM280,000 – and it’s likely that the AWD variant of the G6 will cost less than these Tesla equivalents.
Expanding the G6 range isn’t the only thing on Xpeng’s agenda in Malaysia, as there’s also been hints that new models will be coming, although no specific timeline or names have been mentioned. The X9 is a strong possibility, as the all-electric MPV and the G6 were launched in Hong Kong – an RHD market – in May this year.
Like the G6, the X9 is available with single- and dual-motor powertrains, the first with an 84.5 kWh (CLTC range 610 km) or 101.5 kWh (CLTC range 702 km) battery that powers a front-mounted electric motor rated at 320 PS (315 hp or 235 kW) and 450 Nm of torque.
Meanwhile, the AWD version offers 503 PS (496 hp or 370 kW) and 640 Nm, along with a range of 640 km from a larger battery. Prices for the X9 in China range from 359,800 to 419,800 yuan (RM219k to RM256k).
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