The XPeng P5 sedan has arrived packing advanced driver assistance features that use lidar to maximize their effectiveness. Retailing in China for around RMB 157,900 to RMB 223,900, which is equivalent to $24,484 to $34,717, this new battery-electric sedan should help democratize driver assistance technologies to a broader range of consumers.
Like most battery-electric sedans, the XPeng P5 features a wedgelike silhouette to maximize aerodynamics. It lacks a traditional grille and its LED headlight clusters are linked together by a single strip running the width of the car. That same design cue is mimicked in the rear. The interior, on the other hand, is clean and techie with its two displays dominating the dash.
Automotive-grade lidar technology provides additional redundancy to help the P5 detect pedestrians, vehicles, and small objects more accurately even inside tunnels or in bad weather conditions. The lidar unit uses 12 ultrasonic radars, 5 millimeter-wave radars, 13 high-definition cameras, and a high-precision positioning unit to give the vehicles a 360-degree visual and lidar fusion perception of the road. At 189.2 inches long, 72.4 inches wide, and 59.8 inches tall, the P5 lands in between the compact and mid-size segments.
XPeng’s XPilot 3.5 suite of driver assistance technologies are the latest version and has been developed in-house but will be available only on the 550P and 600P variants. It features two lidar sensors and the company’s Navigation Guided Pilot System, which can now operate in the city, allowing drivers to navigate and use assisted driving in urban areas. The P5 also gets an upgraded adaptive cruise control system that uses lidar to better recognize congestion, stationary vehicles, and small objects. It will also improve its ability to operate in heavy traffic conditions. Additionally, the lidar will also enable the sedan to memorize parking spaces and better conduct automatic parking.
Six versions of the P5 will be offered with driving ranges between 460 km to 600 km (285 miles to 372 miles) in the NEDC cycle. XPeng says the car can accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in as quick as 7.5 seconds and stop from 100 km/h (62 mph) in 36.5 meters or 119.7 feet. Every P5 will come with a heat pump as standard equipment to improve its driving range in cold climates. Battery sizes are 55.9 kWh for the 460G and 460E models, 66.2 kWh for the 550G, 550E, and 550P versions, and 71.4 kWh in the 600P version. All three batteries are also IP68 rated for waterproofing and equipped with additional thermal management systems to expand their operating range. Every P5 is powered by an electric motor rated at 208 hp and 228 lb-ft of torque. The sedan has a drag coefficient of 0.223, which is among the lowest.
You can get the P5 trimmed with luxury features like Nappa leather upholstery, 110N foam padding, and wide headrests. XPeng notes that the sedan also has 32 hollow partitions and 40 sound-suppressing cotton pads to keep it as quiet as possible. It’s available with XPeng’s eight-speaker advanced surround sound system, a 45-inch projection screen, a built-in fridge, a fragrance dispenser, and the ability to transform the vehicle into a mobile sleeping space. The infotainment system features a third-generation Snapdragon Automotive Cockpit platform with the SA8115P processor. In addition to a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, the P5 gets a massive 15.6-inch main display. The 600P grade will also be available with a solar-powered sunroof.
Those interested in the XPeng P5 can now order them in all six versions. Deliveries of the sedan are expected to start in Oct. 2021.
