Xpeng X9 previewed in Malaysia – EV MPV with up to 503 PS and 575 km WLTP range; launching soon?

Following the sighting of an Xpeng X9 in Malaysia last year, the fully electric MPV has now been officially previewed during a media event hosted by Bermaz Auto (BAuto) today – we were told this is a development unit. At present, Bermaz Xpeng (an 85% owned subsidiary of BAuto) only sells the G6 that was launched last August.

Built on the brand’s Smart Electric Platform Architecture 2.0 (SEPA 2.0), the X9 will look to take on other electric MPVs such as the Zeekr 009 and Denza D9. We can also include the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire as notable competitors, although those are petrol-powered offerings.

Measuring 5,293 mm long, 1,988 mm wide, 1,785 mm tall and with a wheelbase spanning 3,160 mm, the X9 is larger than both Toyota’s MPVs and comparable in size to 009 and D9. Between the three Chinese electric MPVs, it is the Zeekr with the longest wheelbase.

To stand out from the crowd, the X9 boasts a rather unique look that eschews a flat tailgate that is typical of MPVs. Instead, the rear has a wedge-shaped design while the front gets two-tier lighting (upper DRLs and lower main headlamps). Other cues include an angular face with a honeycomb mest pattern for the lower intake, flush pop-out door handles and sliding rear doors.

Inside, the X9 integrates almost all vehicle controls into a 17.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is accompanied by a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster display. Rear passengers get a ceiling-mounted 21.4-inch display as well as “airline-style” seats in the second row with heating, ventilation and massage functions. In total, there are seven seats arranged in a 2-2-3 layout.

Given this is a right-hand drive example, the powertrain could be similar to what’s offered in Hong Kong. Over there, the X9 comes with a front-mounted electric motor rated at 320 PS (315 hp or 235 kW) and 450 Nm, enabling a 0-100 km/h time of 7.7 seconds and top speed of 200 km/h.

Two battery options are available, starting with a 84.5-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery for up to 610 km of range following the CLTC standard (or 480 km WLTP as listed in Hong Kong). There’s also a 101.5-kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery for up to 702 km CLTC (or 575 km WLTP). With some deducing taking into account the remaining range (357 km WLTP) and battery charge state (61%) shown in the instrument cluster at the time of writing, we think this is the latter.

In China, the X9 can also be had as an AWD variant which uses the same NMC battery but its dual electric motors provide 503 PS (496 hp or 370 kW) and 640 Nm for a century sprint time of 5.7 seconds and the same 200 km/h top speed, but with less range at 640 km CLTC.

The X9 in China supports DC fast charging, with the carmaker stating “3C superfast charging,” capable of going from 10% to 80% state of charge in just 20 minutes. There’s also a vehicle-to-load (V2L) system capable of outputting 3.3 kW to power devices and accessories. Other aspects of the powertrain are dual-chamber air suspension with variable damping as well as rear-axle steering.

For now, Bermaz Xpeng is not providing indicative pricing for the X9 or even a launch date. In its home market, the X9 ranges from 359,800 yuan to 419,800 yuan (about RM219k to RM256k), which would make it cheaper than the Toyota MPVs and even the Zeekr 009, if we ignore things like shipping costs and others. Looking forward to the X9 going on sale here?

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