The Epicland X9, the first model from the brand jointly developed by Dongfeng Motor and Huawei. Credit: Epicland.
- The Epicland X9 starts at a limited-time discounted price of 279,800 yuan ($41,460), with key rivals including the Aito M9 and Li Auto’s Li L9.
- The launch of the large 3-row, 6-seat SUV marks Huawei’s rapid automotive expansion beyond HIMA.
Epicland launched its first model, the Epicland X9, on Thursday, marking the arrival of the first vehicle from the joint brand created by Dongfeng Motor and Huawei.
The extended-range electric SUV (sport utility vehicle) carries limited-time discounted prices of 279,800 yuan ($41,460) to 359,800 yuan, compared with a regular price range of 289,800 yuan to 369,800 yuan.
Epicland positions the X9 as a “second-generation family flagship.” The large 3-row, 6-seat SUV targets rivals including the Aito M9 and Li Auto’s (NASDAQ: LI) Li L9.
Pre-sales began on August 18 at a starting price of 299,800 yuan. Epicland previously said orders exceeded 20,000 units within the first 24 hours.
The X9 measures 5,301 mm in length, 2,015 mm in width and 1,820 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,120 mm. It offers 484 liters of cargo space with all 6 seats occupied.
Built on an 800-volt platform, the SUV can charge from 20% to 80% in 18 minutes.
Battery options have capacities of 74.29 kWh and 51.46 kWh, with CLTC battery-only range reaching up to 465 km.
With a full tank and a fully charged battery, the Epicland X9 offers a combined range of up to 1,410 km under the CLTC cycle or 1,120 km under the WLTC cycle.
The SUV uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged range extender with a maximum output of 95 kW. The 2-wheel-drive version has a 300 kW (402 hp) motor, while all-wheel-drive variants deliver combined motor outputs of 350 kW or 450 kW.
The top-spec version can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.81 seconds.
Huawei’s Qiankun ADS 5 driver assistance system comes standard across the Epicland X9 lineup, along with an 896-channel, dual-optical-path imaging-grade LiDAR. The highest specification features 4 LiDAR sensors, including 3 additional high-precision solid-state units.
The X9 also features Huawei’s HarmonySpace 6 cockpit system, with 2 adjoining 17.2-inch 3.4K displays.
Its chassis is based on Huawei’s Qiankun Chitu platform and features dual-chamber air suspension and electronically controlled dampers. Rear-wheel steering reduces the minimum turning radius to 5.3 meters.
Epicland will also introduce a battery-electric SUV built on a 1,000-volt platform. Pre-sales are scheduled to begin in November, with deliveries starting in December.
A day before the X9’s launch, Aistaland, a brand jointly developed by Huawei and GAC Group (HKEX: 2238), launched its second model, the GX7, on September 23.
The closely timed launches from the 2 new brands mark Huawei’s rapid automotive expansion beyond the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA).
Epicland and Aistaland were developed by Huawei’s Qiankun business in partnership with local automakers. Neither belongs to the Huawei-led HIMA alliance.
If the plan materializes, Epicland would be among the first brands in Huawei’s automotive partnership ecosystem to explore battery swapping.
($1 = 6.7489 yuan)
