The Refreshed P7 Smart Sedan From Tesla Challenger XPeng Revealed in New Patent Images

author: Eric Walz   

The Refreshed Xpeng P7 electric sedan. (Photo: China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology)

The first pictures of the refreshed P7 Smart Sedan from Chinese EV startup and Tesla rival XPeng were revealed online this week by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The images were published by news outlet Gasgoo. 

XPeng has not announced yet when the refreshed, fully-electric P7 will hit the market. 

The P7 was designed to include high tech features that car buyers are looking for today in modern vehicles, including connectivity, autonomous driving technology and a long range. Its 439 mile range is the highest of all EVs on sale in China, including the Tesla Model S.

The refreshed P7 retains the same dimensions as the existing model and measures 4,880mm long, 1,896mm wide and 1,450mm tall with a 2,998mm wheelbase. 

Perhaps the most notable improvements are in the powertrain. According to the MIIT, the new P7 will come with dual 196kW electric motors, producing a combined output of 392kW, versus the 316kW for the outgoing all-wheel-drive model. 

The refreshed P7 will be powered by a new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack supplied by Chinese battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL). The previous model used prismatic (pouch cell) lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NCM) battery cells.

XPeng also made small tweaks to the vehicle's exterior. The front grill includes a strip of LED lights that extend across the entire front of the vehicle. However the split-type LED headlight cluster is now located at a lower position.  The rear also features a split light group, which is carried over from the front of the car.  

Other improvements include concealed door handles to reduce air resistance and improve aesthetics.

The XPeng P7 sedan is a popular choice for tech-savvy EV buyers in China. It offers the same level of advanced technology as Tesla's vehicles, including autonomous driving capabilities, for around $50,000 less that a comparably equipped Model S in China.

The Xpeng P7 was first revealed in Auto Auto Shanghai in April 2019. Deliveries began in June of last year. As of July 2021, cumulative P7 deliveries reached 40,612 units, according to XPeng's latest monthly sales report.

XPeng's first vehicle, the G3 SUV, also was refreshed. The G3 is a more affordable alternative to Tesla's Model Y in China.

XPeng unveiled the refreshed G3i SUV last month. It comes with new features such as autonomous driving capability and self-parking. In total, XPeng said the latest G3 has received 15 major firmware OTA upgrades since it launched in 2018. XPeng added 55 new functions to the G3i as of March 31, 2021. Deliveries of the refreshed G3i will start in September.

In April, XPeng kicked-off the annual Auto Shanghai car show with the debut of its latest vehicle, the P5. The P5 is the world's first production smart EV equipped with automotive-grade LiDAR technology for autonomous driving. Xpeng opened preorders for the P5 in April, with deliveries set to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. 

Eric Walz

Originally hailing from New Jersey, Eric is a automotive & technology reporter covering the high-tech industry here in Silicon Valley. He has over 15 years of automotive experience and a bachelors degree in computer science. These skills, combined with technical writing and news reporting, allows him to fully understand and identify new and innovative technologies in the auto industry and beyond. He has worked at Uber on self-driving cars and as a technical writer, helping people to understand and work with technology.