XPENG has brought its Kunpeng range-extender technology to the GCC for the first time. At a Dubai media workshop on 6 October, the brand said its GX six-seat SUV can cover 1,585 km on a full tank and charge. It also claimed more than 3,000 Middle East orders and launched a six-country road tour to back up those figures.
What did XPENG announce in Dubai?
XPENG showed the Kunpeng Range Extender at a media workshop in its Dubai showroom on 6 October 2026. It’s the first time the technology has appeared in the region. At the same event, the brand also kicked off the Grand Xplore Tour. During the tour, its flagship GX will cross the Gulf to prove itself on real roads.
The pitch is simple. Long intercity drives are common here, and summer heat often passes 45°C. Meanwhile, the charging network is still growing. XPENG therefore argues that a range-extended EV suits local conditions. In its own words, the idea is “electric in the city, fuel on the highway”.
In a range-extended EV, electric motors always drive the wheels. A petrol engine works as a generator and tops up the battery when needed. As a result, the car feels like an EV while carrying the reach of a fuel tank.
What does XPENG claim for the Kunpeng system?
XPENG says the GX pairs a 63.3 kWh battery with a 60-litre fuel tank. On that basis, it quotes a combined range of 1,585 km and a pure-electric range of 430 km. Both are manufacturer estimates on China’s CLTC test cycle. Because CLTC is a lab cycle, real-world driving will produce different numbers.
Charging is another headline claim. Thanks to a 5C rating and an 800V system, XPENG says the battery can add 70 per cent in 12 minutes. That’s the company’s own estimate, and independent testing hasn’t confirmed it yet.
Under the bonnet, a third-generation 1.5-litre turbo engine runs the generator. According to XPENG, the car can hold 150 km/h at any charge level. In addition, the brand claims its oil-cooled generator makes more than 3.6 kWh per litre of fuel. It puts that at 9 per cent above the industry average.
Refinement gets attention too. XPENG says the range extender adds no more than 0.5 dB to cabin noise. To get there, it uses optimised vibration paths, active cylinder stop control and ENC noise cancellation.
Finally, the electric drive unit is what XPENG calls the world’s first 800V hybrid silicon-carbide coaxial unit. It produces 210 kW and 465 Nm. The brand also says it delivers full power even at 8 per cent charge.
What does the GX offer families?
XPENG calls the GX its new tech flagship. In the UAE, it’s targeting nationals, high-profile professionals and families. Most of those buyers are married and in their 30s or 40s, the company says. According to XPENG, they choose the car for luxury, range confidence and smart features such as parking assistance, a smart cabin and software.
Inside, there are six seats. XPENG claims it’s the world’s only six-seat SUV with a power-folding, tri-fold third row. With every seat in use, it’ll still take six 24-inch suitcases. In four-seat mode, meanwhile, cargo space grows to 1,748 litres.
Comfort features are generous. Two zero-gravity seats come with seat-cushion airbags, while the second row gets a 16-point massage function. All-wheel steering also gives the large SUV a minimum turning radius of 5.4 m.
What is the Grand Xplore Tour?
The tour starts in the UAE, visits six GCC countries and then returns. Along the way, it’ll cover extreme heat, desert, motorways and city streets. Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait come next for media workshops and road drives.
XPENG has planned six challenges. First, an Extreme Heat Retest will repeat its Turpan test in Kuwait’s heat. Next, the Liwa Desert Dune Challenge takes the GX to the Tal Moreeb dunes to test its all-wheel drive and 800V system off-road.
The other events lean towards lifestyle. The Lion’s Ride is a short film featuring a lion, designed to show off the three-row cabin. The tour will also launch a Falcon Collector Edition. For the Mobile Desert Palace, the GX will power a desert camp through its 6 kW vehicle-to-load output.
The most telling test comes last. In the 1,200 km No-Refuel Challenge, the GX will drive from Dubai to Salalah on one full tank and one full charge.
How big is XPENG now?
XPENG started in 2014 and now employs more than 31,600 people. Of those, 44.79 per cent work in research and development across eight global R&D centres. The brand also operates in 65 countries and regions. In 2025, it ranked seventh in global BEV sales, with volumes up 126 per cent year on year.
What should buyers keep in mind?
A few questions remain open. XPENG hasn’t shared UAE pricing for the GX, so buyers should confirm details with XPENG UAE first. Likewise, every range and charging figure above comes from the manufacturer.
Two numbers deserve close attention: the 12-minute charge and the 1,200 km Salalah run. If the GX completes that drive as promised, the case for range extenders in hot, spread-out regions will look much stronger. Until then, it’s best to treat the 1,585 km figure as a target and wait for real-world results.
