Xpeng will formally introduce the Mona M03 Max, the highest-spec version of its M03 electric sedan, during a dedicated “520” event for Mona series owners. “520” sounds like “I love you” in Mandarin, so we may also call it Xpeng’s “I love you” event. Priced at 155,800 yuan (approximately USD 21,500), the Max variant incorporates Xpeng’s latest autonomous driving technology and adds several hardware and software upgrades over the base model.

Autonomous driving system without LiDAR

The Mona M03 Max features Xpeng’s XNGP autonomous driving suite, offering functions such as highway and urban navigation-guided pilot (NGP) and AI-based valet parking. Unlike other systems that rely on LiDAR, the MAX uses a pure vision setup supported by dual NVIDIA Orin-X chips and seven high-definition cameras. The system is designed to deliver a near-L3 driving experience, with internal testing showing a 95% success rate for automated parking and stable urban operation.

Delayed availability

The Mona M03 was unveiled at the Chengdu Auto Show on August 27, 2024, with the base model priced at 119,800 yuan (16,900 USD). Although the MAX version was announced simultaneously, Xpeng said it would not be available until after the 2025 Lunar New Year. The delay is attributed to additional development time needed for the autonomous driving features.

Specifications

The Max uses a 160kW motor generating 250Nm of torque, enabling 0–100 km/h acceleration in 7.4 seconds. It is equipped with a 62.2kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, providing a CLTC-rated range of up to 580 kilometres. The vehicle supports fast charging, with 30% to 80% charge achievable in 26 minutes. Xpeng claims a drag coefficient of 0.194, the lowest among mass-produced electric sedans, contributing to the vehicle’s efficiency.

Interior updates

Notable design changes on the Max variant include blue lights that indicate when autonomous driving is active and frameless side mirrors intended to improve aerodynamics. The interior runs the new Tianji XOS infotainment system, with interface upgrades to enhance user interaction and performance.

Market position

With a price premium of 26,000 yuan (3,600 USD) over the mid-range model, the Max is positioned as a technology-focused option within the Mona lineup. It competes with vehicles like the BYD Qin Plus but uses a torsion beam rear suspension, which may not offer the same ride comfort as the multi-link setups found in some rivals.

Market outlook

Xpeng aims to sell more than 200,000 Mona series vehicles in 2025. The base version currently records steady monthly sales of around 15,000 units. Once it becomes available, the company expects the Max variant to contribute a 30% increase in overall sales.