Xpeng has launched the MONA M03, its intelligent, all-electric hatchback coupe, featuring three versions priced between RMB 119,800 and 155,800 ($28,026 and $21,942) with deliveries beginning in September. The announcement was one of several made at the OEM’s 10th Anniversary Gala, where it also revealed Xpeng Turing, its all-new in-house developed chip.
The new 40-core chip is tailored for AI models and has likewise been designed to empower AI-defined cars, AI robots and eVOTLs. Xpeng also used the Gala to introduce its Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor, or LOFIC-based AI ‘Hawkeye’ Visual Solution, which will debut on the Xpeng P7+ in Q4 2024.
Serving as the ‘brain’ of Xpeng’s AI car family, and developed with L4 autonomous driving in mind, the Turing chip utilizes a DSA (Domain Specific Architecture) for neural networks. Xpeng says that this architecture enables performance three times greater than similar solutions while providing enhanced computing support for autonomous driving applications. With the chip, Xpeng is ultimately aiming to accelerate the development of its AI models, while end-to-end AI models will help Xpeng achieve its goal of delivering an L3+ user experience on L2 hardware, at an L2 price, within the next 18 months.
System-level improvements in smart driving capabilities rely on the evolution of perception systems. End-to-end large models can maximize the amount of data collected by cameras. In announcing its new Hawkeye solution, Xpeng is looking to meet this demand.
On the hardware side, the AI Hawkeye Vision Solution integrates two front and rear 8M cameras, which help enhance their precision, range, and color resolution capabilities. Its LOFIC architecture effectively improves backlight perception, allowing Hawkeye to ‘see’ more clearly in low-light, backlight, and high-contrast lighting conditions. On the software side, empowered by end-to-end large models, it can process visual information without conversion, directly inputting it into the neural network – enhancing the sensitivity and responsiveness of perception regulation. In the fourth quarter of this year, the Xpeng P7+ will be the first model to feature Hawkeye, with other models to follow, including those in the new MONA series.
Revealed in full at Xpeng’s 10th Anniversary Gala, the AI-powered MONA M03’s design language has likewise been informed by AI-quantified aesthetics with a sporty exterior design comparable to coupes in the RMB 200,000 ($28,167) range. Xpeng highlighted the new vehicle’s ADAS capabilities, which together target younger audiences – with full-scenario smart parking and more than 20 smart hardware components offered as standard across the full M03 lineup. The premium M03 Max version builds on this offering with full-scenario XNGP ADAS that covers all public roads in China and will be priced under RMB 200,000 ($28,167). This version is scheduled to begin delivery after the Chinese New Year in 2025 (January 29).
