Take That BMW: Xpeng Is Working On An Electric Minivan Named The X9

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The co-founder and chairman of Xpeng Motors, He Xiaopeng, has teased the brand’s next model on Chinese social media, confirming that it will be named the X9.

The teaser image only shows an exterior badge of the new model but fortunately, we already know quite a lot about the forthcoming model. For starters, it will take the form of a minivan stretching over 5 meters with a bold and dramatic design that will allow it to compete with the likes of the Denza D9, Zeekr 009, Voyah Dream, Maxus Mifa 9, and the W01 MPV currently being developed by Li Auto.

Spy shots shared by Car News China show that the X9 will include a pronounced front LED light bar as well as a large front grille. The overall shape of the minivan will be quite intriguing with a windshield that appears to stretch forward, roughly in line with the front axle. We can also see that the vehicle will have angular side windows and small triangular windows positioned just in front of the wing mirrors.

The interior of the minivan (or MPV in overseas markets) has also been snapped in recent months. One prototype was spied rocking a two-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel as well as a large floating infotainment screen seamlessly connecting to the transmission tunnel in a design somewhat similar to new Mercedes-Benz models. The MPV will also feature two simple wireless charging pads.

Read: Less Than 10 Automakers Will Remain Globally In The EV Era, Predicts Xpeng CEO

Technical specifications about the vehicle aren’t known but it is reasonable to assume that it will have a battery pack supplied by CALB, Xpeng’s largest battery supplier. Reports from China claim that it will be manufactured at the brand’s Guangzhou factory.

Then there’s the name; X9. The similarity to BMW’s current fleet of SUVs, the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, and X7 is obvious and it’s entirely possible that the German car manufacturer will take issue with Xpeng’s use of X9. Only time will tell.