The new Mona M03 from Xpeng. Announced in June, this new model serves as the new entry-level into the Xpeng family and has now been priced, available from a barely-believable 119,800 yuan or the equivalent of US$ 16,800. That makes it roughly US$ 600 cheaper than a 2024 Nissan Versa, currently the cheapest new car on sale in the U.S.
For this affordable starting price, local
buyers will be able to get behind the wheel of an EV with the lowest drag
coefficient of any sedan in production. Power comes courtesy of a 51.8 kWh
battery pack driving a single electric motor with 188 hp. While the
battery is small, the base model has a claimed CTLC range of 515
km. It’s not just the range that makes the Mona M03 compelling. All models
come equipped with Level 2 driver-assistance technologies thanks to a pair of
millimeter-wavelength radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and seven cameras.
Sitting in the middle of the Mona M03
range is a 129,800 yuan (US$ 18,200) version. It receives a larger 62.2 kWh
battery with a more powerful 215 hp motor at the front wheels. The
larger battery sees its range climb to 620 km. Topping out the
family is the 580 Max model, priced from 155,800 yuan or US$ 21,850, with 580 km of range.
Like many other EVs on the market, the
cabin of the Mona M03 is quite sparse but it is well-equipped. For example, all
models have a large panoramic glass roof and an 18-speaker sound system. Taking
pride of place in the center of the dashboard is a massive Tesla-style screen
and like the Model 3 and Model Y, there’s no traditional instrument cluster.
However, for 599 yuan (US$ 84), a second screen can be added behind the steering
wheel. Xpeng reportedly received more than 10,000 firm orders for the Mona M03
in 52 minutes after its June presentation. With prices now made public, its
order book is expected to quickly grow.
