German and Chinese automakers go head-to-head at the IAA Mobility 2025 show in Munich this week, in a battle for the European consumer’s limited funds in a cost-of-living crisis that doesn’t seem to go away.
While German automakers BMW and then Volkswagen opened the first of the show’s presentations, China’s Xpeng was the first to throw the invaders’ first punch in response, unveiling a super-quick version of its P7 sedan.
The Next P7 sports battery-electric sedan claims a total maximum power output of 585 hp plus 512 lb.-ft. (694 Nm) of torque and a claimed 0-to-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint time of 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 143 mph (230 km/h).
Xpeng, the world’s sixth-largest BEV maker, also announces plans to mass-produce Level 4 autonomous vehicles by 2026 while also announcing the expansion of its R&D center opening this month in Munich as a sign of its ambitions for deeper penetration of European markets.
The automaker also is showcasing its Land Aircraft Carrier flying-car expected to make its first flight in Dubai next month.
Xpeng displays a total of five models for the first time in Europe, including the new G6 and G9 SUVs; the X9 MPV; and the P7+, claimed to be the world’s first artificial intelligence-defined vehicle promised to launch in Europe soon.
Hard on its heels comes Stellantis’ Chinese joint venture partner Leapmotor with the world premiere of the B05 Europe-focused urban electric C-segment hatchback and the soon-to-be-launched Leapmotor B10 electric SUV.
The B05 features innovative touches such as frameless doors. It measures 14.5 ft. (4,420 mm) long, 6.1 ft. (1,859 mm) wide, 4.9 ft. (1,493 mm) tall and with a wheelbase of 8.97 ft. (2,734 mm). Market availability is to be announced later in the year.
Its big brother, the B10, is already open for orders in more than 30 countries and regions, including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and South America.
Built on the latest LEAP3.5 architecture, the B10 is expected to come to European markets at a competitive price of €29,900 ($35,027).
This midsize SUV measured 14.8 ft. (4,511 mm) long, the same width as its smaller brother, though naturally taller at 5.43 ft. (1,655 mm) but with the same wheelbase.
The B10 outputs 218 hp with 177 lb.-ft. (240 Nm) of torque and claims a 0-to-62 mph sprint time of 8 seconds and a top speed of 106 mph (171 km/h).
Two battery pack options are offered with the 56.2-kWh pack claiming up to 224 miles (361 km) of WLTP range and a 67.1-kWh pack delivering up to 269 miles (434 km).
Both packs support 11-kW AC charging and ultra-fast DC charging up to a speed of 168 kW, claiming a 30% to 80% charge in less than 20 minutes.
Cabin technology includes a 14.6-in. (37-cm) 2.5K floating touchscreen powered by the Snapdragon 8155 chip and the system offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via over-the-air software updates.
The latest Leap OS 4.0 Plus system provides a customizable interface, 3-D cockpit and multi-application display, including multi-scenario modes and full remote control through a mobile app.
GAC presents its latest European-focused models, the Aion V SUV first seen at the Paris auto show in 2024 and a new midsize hatchback, the Aion UT, as part of its stated claim to expand its operations into Europe this year.
Meanwhile, Sweden’s all-electric premium brand Polestar conducts a night-time launch of its new Polestar 5 4-door Grand Tourer, not at the Munich Messe show ground but in the center of the city with the satellite Open Space exhibition center.
Renault is slated to also host an evening reveal away from the German/Chinese showdown of its much-anticipated new Clio in the city center with more details to follow in tomorrow’s report.
