Peter Lyon
July 18, 2025
Co-founded in 2014 by Chinese entrepreneurs Xia Heng and He Tao, XPeng unveiled its new electric P7+ and accompanying smart next-gen EV technologies at last weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Taking on the iconic Festival of Speed Hillclimb for the first time, the P7+ employs a single rear-mounted motor developing 313-hp and accelerating from 0-100 km/h in a healthy 5.6 seconds. Soon to debut in the UK and other selected markets, the P7+’s appearance on the hill was matched by a strong presence in the First Glance Paddock, where festivalgoers experienced the brand’s future-facing technologies, including XPeng’s AI-powered robotic assistant, Iron.
Visitors also got a look at the newly revealed all-wheel-drive XPeng G6, which sat beside the P7+. With its coupe-SUV form and cutting-edge battery architecture, the G6 underlines XPeng’s ambitions to combine performance and usability with intelligent mobility, and from what we’re hearing, a competitive price.
A standout moment came as XPeng Vice Chairman and Co-President Brian Gu was welcomed by the festival’s patron and Goodwood owner—the Duke of Richmond – a symbolic meeting in the heartland of British automotive culture.
“The energy around XPeng at Goodwood was powerful,” said William Brown, Managing Director, XPeng UK. “From the Hillclimb to the paddock, it was clear that British car fans are excited about what XPeng represents: smarter electric mobility, designed around the driver. The dynamic debut of P7+ and our G6 showcase are just the beginning – we’re proud to be building real momentum here in the UK.”
He added: “XPeng’s showcase at Goodwood offered more than just a first look – it was a statement of intent. As the brand continues to expand across Europe, its growing UK presence is underpinned by a belief in intelligent, connected, driver-centric EVs – made for people who expect more from electric mobility.”
CARLIST THOUGHTS
After initially securing investment from the likes of Alibaba, Foxconn and IDG Capital after 2014, XPeng raised extra funds from such companies as Aspex, Hillhouse Capital and Sequoia Capital China before receiving further funding from Alibaba again, Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala. Then in 2021, XPeng raised $1.5B with an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange. Apart for its multiple EV models, XPeng also makes flying cars and reached an agreement in 2024 with Volkswagen China to develop platforms and software.
