2025 Xpeng P7 EV: Striking Tesla rival breaks cover

The first images of the second-generation Xpeng P7 have been revealed, with the electric sedan set to introduce a new design direction when it goes on sale in China later in 2025.

It may also follow the controversial Tesla approach of relying solely on cameras – instead of LiDAR and radar tech – for its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

The electric brand – which went on sale in Australia in 2024 with the Tesla Model Y-rivalling G6 SUV – released the first exterior images of the follow-up, codenamed ‘E29’, to the original P7/P7i sedan.

Not to be confused with the P7+ liftback – which is not directly related to the Taycan rival but has a clear visual link to the new sedan – the 4888mm-long P7 replaces the P7i in the lineup.

In China, the outgoing P7i is priced similarly to the Tesla Model 3 and up-spec versions of the BYD Seal.

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Xpeng has, according to Car News China, also trademarked the name P7 Ultra, suggesting an extreme halo version is in the works which may use the new ‘Kungpeng’ platform.

The fresh exterior appears to follow the previous focus on aerodynamics and comes as Xpeng faces stronger challenges in China from rivals Nio, Avatr and Xiaomi, among others.

The Xpeng P7 has yet to be confirmed for Australian Xpeng showrooms. The brand is distributed in Australia by Sydney-based TrueEV.

“With this new generation, we set out to design a pure-electric sports sedan that could amaze at every angle,” chief designer Rafik Ferrag – who previously designed cars for Citroen and Honda – said in a statement.

“This car is our dream – refined through countless iterations. In my eyes, the all-new Xpeng P7 is a work of art, shaped with emotion and purpose.”

While not sharing powertrain details or showing the interior, Xpeng described the P7 as “more than a car – it is Xpeng’s answer for the AI [artificial intelligence] era in form and function”.

This may point to the vision-based ADAS with the brand’s latest Turing AI processor – which could see cameras replace the current combination of 31 LiDAR, radar, ultrasonic sensors and cameras on the P7i.

Other automakers to take the same camera-only approach include Tesla and Subaru.

The current E28 P7 is also a ‘software defined vehicle’ (SDV) using Artificial Intelligence (AI) with several updates since its 2020 launch.

It’s currently sold in 203kW/440Nm single-motor rear-wheel drive (RWD) and 348kW/757Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive versions (AWD) versions.

The Performance AWD spec gives the P7i a claimed 0-100km/h time of 3.9 seconds – compared to 4.5 seconds when the P7 was launched – with up to 610km (CLTC) of driving range from its 82.7kWh battery.

Performance parts include high performance four-piston brakes from legendary Italian brand Brembo, while the cabin includes Nappa leather seats, Dolby Atmos audio and 14.96-inch centre screen and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

The current P7i is priced at ¥249,900 ($A54,142) undercutting the Tesla Model 3, which had its price cut to ¥231,900 ($A65,000) in April 2025. However, it’s priced above the flagship BYD Seal (¥239,800 or A$52,000).

Further details of the 2025 Xpeng P7 are expected to be announced ahead of the vehicle going on sale in China in the third quarter (June-July-August) of 2025.