Car aiming ‘to replace Tesla'
When Tesla first landed in Australia, many Aussies didn't quite understand what it was but they were captivated by its futuristic design – and they wanted it.
At the recent Melbourne International EV Show, News Corp had an exclusive look at a new EV that's provoking that same reaction – XPeng P7+.
The P7+ is the latest electric sedan from China and it could be the first to challenge the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal, and fill the void left by the discontinued Tesla Model S.
Unveiled by TrueEV, XPeng's exclusive Australian importer and distributor, the P7+ hasn't been confirmed for local sale yet.
However, TrueEV founder Jason Clarke said the vehicle is under serious evaluation for the Australian market.
'We have to do testing, we know the price point is going to be so much lower, we have to recommend that to XPeng,' he said.
Clarke said the absence of the Tesla Model S is 'disappointing' for consumers but the P7+ could be the alternative.
'The P7+ could take the spot as an executive sedan, it fills the void left by the Tesla Model S, which was priced $200,000 plus,' he said.
Clarke explained if approved, pricing would likely fall below AUD $100,000.
Measuring 5068mm in length with a 3000mm wheelbase, the P7+ is larger than its rivals the BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3.
It feels luxurious as if it was made for executives and families.
But what sets the P7+ apart is its advanced 'AI-defined' technology which assists with driving and the overall cockpit experience.
The car continuously monitors battery usage, drive behaviour, environment, adapting its performance in real time to maximum both range and longevity.
The P7+ uses a single rear-mounted motor producing up to 230kW drawing power from a 74.9 LFP battery from EVE Engery Co.
Range is officially rated between 580km and 610km (WLTP) which is expected for a family car these days.
XPeng claims 10-80 per cent DC fast charging in just 12 minutes on 800V infrastructure, or closer to 20 minutes using current Australian networks.
Inside, the cabin features a 15.6-inch infotainment screen, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8295P chip which controls the X-GPT smart cockpit.
There's also an 8-inch rear-seat touchscreen, rear seat heating, ventilation and massage, air purifiers in the glovebox, and dual 50W wireless charges.
A panoramic roof with integrated privacy tint adds light and feels seclusive.
Boot space is rated at 725L, expanding to 2221L with rear seats folded.
There's no spare tyre but a repair kit included.
The XPeng P7+ is a bold bet, a sleek and futuristic, tech-loaded executive EV that brings something fresh to Australia.
If confirmed for sale locally, this will be one to watch.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Feeding time
And finally, as we edge towards a late supper some important culinary news. NICK HOSE: Chicken lovers were in a flap today thanks to a very generous giveaway. A takeaway giant celebrating its Portuguese heritage by offering up to 10,000 free hot chickens … - 7NEWS Border, 10 June 2025 A free bachelor's handbag! Seven News in Albury-Wodonga dispatched the cavalry, as they should, tout suite! DANIEL HERRERO: The crowd flocked into Lavington's Oporto store today. PERSON: I'm here for what everyone else is, you know, the free chicken, I suppose. PERSON: Free chicken day apparently, yeah. - 7NEWS Border, 10 June 2025 It wasn't merely a free chicken day, no! It was a celebration of the 16th Century's naval superpower! DANIEL HERRERO: O'Porto celebrating its Portuguese heritage on the country's national day, Dia de Portugal … - 7NEWS Border, 10 June 2025 The crew at Nine News' Gold Coast bureau brought us more of this most compelling of celebrations: EVA MILIC: Enough to feed a whole family and the best part is, it is free … - 9News Gold Coast, 9 June 2025 Woodward and Bernstein, eat your heart out. With this flame-grilled goodness and cluckin' good giveaway spreading like salmonella from Shepparton in central Victoria to Perth where readers, sorry customers, were urged to get a wriggle on, and even to the nation's capital: "This is about more than just chicken," Canberra Oporto franchise owner … said. By Staff Reporters - The Canberra Times, 6 June 2025 What, no one wanted to put their name on this tour de force? Oh, and sweet-tooths, despair not, because before 'chicken day' there was also 'donut day': Celebrate National Donut Day with FREE cinni donuts thanks to Donut King Get them while they're hot. - 7NEWS (online), 5 June 2025 Hmm hmm! also saw the story's very obvious news value bringing us a National Donut Day dream getaway: Donut King collaborates with Ovolo Sydney for National Donut Day 'Hot Cinni Hotel' experience … for those who prefer their getaways on the sweet side - 23 May 2025 A resplendent pink hue bringing a touch of real class to one clever Sydney hotel which was as our correspondent faithfully reported: … taking inspiration from the famous donut in everything from the pink walls and themed pop art to the plush decor … Each room features a cinnamon donut diffuser … - 23 May 2025 Clears the sinus. But why stop there!? Turns out there are a very great number of national food days to be mined for more sparkling copy and quality programming: MONIQUE WRIGHT: … so today for world pizza day we're celebrating with the culinary classic and learning how to make pizza like an Italian chef … - Sunrise, Network Seven, 9 Feb 2025 There's also World Nutella Day on February 5, which had the scribes all a lather in Ol' Blighty. In fact, the calendar is littered with plenty of cheap excuses for plenty of cheap journalism. From a celebration of real bread, whatever that is, to meatballs, to the holiest day of the year, beer and pizza day. Now, we're all partial to a little soft serve because kittens will always need rescuing from trees and local neighbourhood heroes who pick up litter of their volition will always deserve their moment in the spotlight. But are things really so dire that we're packaging up free ads for deep fried dough and overcooked chook? Because the problem with a race to the bottom is that's where you end up.
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Chris Bowen flags greater government intervention in energy markets with Gas Market Review
Labor will consider forcing gas companies to redirect future supplies into the domestic market instead of selling to international markets, with Energy Minister Chris Bowen launching a review into Australia's gas market. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warned on Monday Australia's east coast gas supply outlook has further deteriorated, with risks of a shortfall beginning from the fourth quarter of 2025 and into 2026 set to increase if 'Queensland LNG producers export all uncontracted gas'. This is because southern states like NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania will need to 'continually rely on gas from Queensland as their local reserves deplete,' the ACCC's interim Gas Inquiry report, published on Monday, warned. The ACCC says tipped 'structural shortfalls' on the east coast will continue from 2028 unless new gas supplies are brought online. The government's Gas Market Review will look at how regulations can be improved to ensure affordable and adequate domestic gas supply, with Mr Bowen flagging the importance of gas as a firming power, alongside renewable energy, which will make up 82 per cent of Australia's grid. However, he said existing commercial contracts with international partners will be protected. Australia is one of the world's largest liquid natural gas exporters with export earnings reaching a record $92.8bn in 2023. 'One thing we won't contemplate is ripping up existing contracts, creating sovereign risk, engaging in behaviours which will see Australia (considered) as an unreliable supply. 'We won't be doing that, but what we will be looking at is sensible, forward looking, prospective means to ensure that Australians get access to their gas.' While Mr Bowen wouldn't be drawn on whether this would mean ramping up gas supplies, or creating an East Coast Gas Reserve, he said it was a 'reasonable request' to ensure 'Australian users get access to Australian gas'. The review will also look at consolidating the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism, Gas Market Code and Heads of Agreement with major east coast gas exporters to 'holistically' ensure policy can support the 'efficient supply of gas to industrial users, domestic users, and to the energy system'. Separately, Mr Bowen also commented on Adelaide's bid to host climate conference Cop31 in 2026, with negotiations at a standstill due as Turkey also pitches for the rights. The McMahon MP said while the bidding issue 'has not yet been resolved,' Australia had the support of the Western Europe Group. He also declined to give an estimated cost for the event, but said there would be 'revenue opportunities' through sponsorship and attendance fees. 'This is a remarkable opportunity for Australia. It's the world's largest trades fair,' he said. 'It gives us an opportunity to talk to the world about Australia's capacity to help them decarbonise. 'It's a remarkable opportunity for the Pacific (to) put their issues on the table. If and when we're successful, of course, we'll have more to say about costs.'
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Ridiculous': Annoying petrol station act shocks Aussies
Few things are more frustrating than realising you need to fill up the car when all you want to do is get home, especially on a freezing winter night when the last thing you want is to leave your toasty car. Actually, scratch that - there is something worse: when the pump won't start. A post on Reddit's r/CarsAustralia forum this week attracted lively discussion after one driver described a recent incident at the petrol station that left them 'annoyed'. The post read, 'I don't know if it's just me or maybe the fact that it's coming into winter but I feel like this is a very uniquely Australian problem.' 'I hate standing at the station making eye contact with the person behind the counter to hit the button to switch the pump on. The other night it felt like 0 degrees and I just got a blank stare by the person working behind the counter for like five minutes before they finally activated the pump. 'Any petrol station workers in here to explain why? Or is it to just watch and laugh?' The post struck a nerve with many, with comments flooding in from fellow drivers who shared the same frustration. 'Yes. It's ridiculous,' one person agreed. 'It's under-staffed petrol stations. I've just started leaving, I'm not waiting,' another said. 'It will be raining sideways and I'm getting soaked, and the attendant is still stacking shelves or sweeping the floor after they watched me drive up to the pump,' another person complained. But while it might be common knowledge to some that petrol station attendents need to unlock the bowsers, many Aussies were shocked to learn that pressing the pump handle doesn't automatically start the flow of petrol. Instead, it sends a signal to the attendant inside, who then manually approves the release. 'Are you telling me that all this time, I've just been waiting for the attendant overlords to just turn the freaking thing on?!?!?' one user exclaimed. 'I have always wondered why sometimes the pump doesn't seem to work when I am standing there flipping the trigger like an idiot,' said another. 'Once I waited so long that I thought they'd ran out and so I just drove off... the attendant must have been laughing his a** off,' another admitted. A former service attendant explained that the system was designed this way so staff could assess customers and decide whether or not to request pre-payment, a safeguard against 'drive offs', an industry term for fuel theft. This method is also put in place so service attendants can check that the person is of age, that the fuel is being used for appropriate reasons, and that the person is unlikely to behave in an unsafe manner. During quieter periods such as late in the evening, when there may only be one staff member on deck, customers may face longer waits if that person is occupied with other tasks.
