XPeng Motors, a prominent EV automaker in China, is gearing up for upgrades to two of its current models, the G6 and G9 SUVs. Recent regulatory filings in China have shed light on the facelifts planned for these vehicles, hinting at a strategic shift away from LiDAR sensors in favor of pure vision cameras, a move reminiscent of Tesla’s approach.
XPeng Motors has been steadily expanding its lineup of electric vehicles both domestically and internationally, with a growing presence in markets like Europe. As part of its regular product updates, the company is now preparing to refresh its existing models.
The flagship P7 sedan received a facelift in early 2023, followed by the introduction of the G9 SUV, which made its debut in 2022. Subsequently, XPeng launched the G6 coupe SUV, priced below $30,000 in China.
Recent regulatory filings reveal that both the G6 and G9 SUVs will undergo facelifts without the inclusion of LiDAR sensors, which were previously integrated into the vehicles’ Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
According to reports from Chinese media outlet CnEVPost, XPeng’s decision to remove LiDAR sensors from its EVs and transition to pure vision cameras is becoming more apparent. This shift was first observed when the company was spotted testing a camouflaged model in China without visible LiDAR sensors, signaling a potential move towards alternative ADAS technologies.
The P7+, unveiled in October, confirmed XPeng’s shift towards pure vision cameras, with the company introducing its “Eagle Eye” technology, which utilizes advanced camera sensors to enhance visual information collection and improve driving capabilities. The regulatory filings with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) suggest that the G6 and G9 SUVs may also adopt this new technology.
The facelifted G6 is slightly longer than its predecessor and is expected to offer three single-motor variants instead of a dual-motor option. The G9 SUV, on the other hand, will retain its current dimensions and continue to be available with single and dual-motor powertrain options.
While the top-tier trims of the current models utilize LiDAR sensors, the facelifted versions are likely to exclude them, aligning with XPeng’s shift towards pure vision cameras. This move places XPeng alongside Tesla as one of the few EV automakers embracing this technology.
Although XPeng has not officially confirmed the removal of LiDAR sensors from the revamped models, the regulatory filings provide strong indications of this change. Enthusiasts will have to wait for the official launch of the updated G6 and G9 SUVs to learn more about XPeng’s innovative approach to ADAS technology.
