Xpeng Unveils AI-Chip Powered P7 Sedan to Rival Tesla Model 3, Xiaomi SU7

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng has launched a next-generation version of its P7 sedan, powered by an in-house artificial intelligence chip, aiming to challenge the Tesla Model 3 and Xiaomi SU7 in the competitive EV market.

Credit: XPENG

The upgraded P7, priced from about USD 41,630, is expected to hit the mainland Chinese market in July or August.

Xpeng Chief Executive Officer He Xiaopeng introduced the vehicle during a virtual launch ceremony, calling it the company’s answer to the AI era in both form and function. He said the new P7 sets a benchmark for next-generation EVs and showcases the technological progress of Chinese smart vehicles.

The five-seater coupe features Xpeng’s proprietary Turing chip, designed for level 4 autonomous driving capabilities. According to He, the chip is three times more powerful than Nvidia’s Drive Orin X, which is currently used in Xpeng’s existing models.

Although the P7 will not be the first production model to feature the Turing chip, it will be among the earliest. He previously stated that a mass-production model using the chip would launch as early as this quarter.

Level 4 autonomy allows drivers to take their eyes off the road in designated areas, based on standards from SAE International. However, vehicles with level 3 or higher self-driving capabilities are not yet permitted on public roads in mainland China.

Xpeng first launched the P7 in mid-2020, and it quickly became a key growth driver for the company, attracting young Chinese drivers with its early autonomous driving features.

The current P7 starts at 249,900 yuan, slightly more than the Tesla Model 3’s 235,500 yuan. Xiaomi’s SU7, another top seller in China, starts at 215,900 yuan.

In October, Xpeng introduced a new camera-based autonomous driving system, now available in the P7 series. The system, called Eagle Eye, includes both hardware and software designed to improve data collection accuracy.

Xpeng also plans to test its Navigation Guided Pilot autonomous driving system in Hong Kong soon, with a global rollout planned for 2026.

While Xpeng primarily manufactures left-hand-drive vehicles for the mainland, it began producing right-hand-drive models last year for markets such as Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

---

• Xpeng’s new P7 sedan features an in-house AI chip for level 4 autonomous driving

• The vehicle is priced from about USD 41,630 and launches in China by August

• The Turing chip is three times more powerful than Nvidia’s Drive Orin X

Source: SCMP