In addition to building some of China’s most advanced electric cars, Xpeng has been quietly pursuing something far more ambitious: an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The project has been in development for over a decade, and the company is even constructing a purpose-built factory to produce them.

That long-term vision, however, hit turbulence this week when two of its aircraft reportedly collided and crashed at the Changchun Air Show.

The two aircraft involved in the incident are understood to be the same models designed to fold up and slot into the rear of the six-wheeled Land Aircraft Carrier. Each uses a six-rotor layout with propellers and arms that can fold away, and they are built to operate either under manual control or in autonomous flight mode.

Folding Wings and Six Rotors

It remains unclear whether the test flight was being conducted under manual control or via the autonomous system. What is known is that the accident happened during a rehearsal ahead of the public show’s opening on Friday. One passenger is reported to have been injured, though not seriously, according to Guancha.

Read: Xpeng’s $280,000 AeroHT Mothership Launches 2-Seater Drone From Its Boot

In a statement issued to CNEVPost, Xpeng said that the two aircraft were participating in a formation drill but collided after flying too close to each other. Fortunately, one of the aircraft landed safely, but the other sustained more significant damage and caught fire after it fell from the sky.

Ambitious Production Goals

Despite the setback, Xpeng wants to start production of the six-wheeled AeroHT ‘mothership’ and the eVTOL for paying customers by 2026. Prices will start at approximately 2 million yuan or about $281,000 at current exchange rates, and it’s said that the company has already received thousands of orders for the pricey recreational vehicles. The eVTOL can reportedly operate at up to 500 meters.

Both vehicles will be built at a 180,000-square-meter site in Guangzhou’s Development Zone. The new factory is designed to handle up to 10,000 units per year, underscoring the scale of Xpeng’s ambitions in taking mobility from the road to the sky.

Update: We’ve added live photos from Munich along with fresh details on the P7’s specs and interior following its European premiere.

Xpeng’s innovative P7 sports sedan has officially landed in Europe with its debut at the Munich Motor Show, and as early previews hinted, it looks unlike anything else on today’s EV market. Sedans may no longer dominate sales charts, but entries like the Xiaomi SU7 and now the P7 show there’s still plenty of appetite for sleek, performance-focused four-doors.

Read: Xpeng’s New Sports Sedan Packs More Power Than Expected

Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink

The exterior design of the new P7 is radical, to say the least. Its exterior design feels like a deliberate departure, with cues that seem to echo elements of the Tesla Cybertruck. The front fascia features a sharp full-width LED light bar, flanked by vertical daytime running lights for a dramatic first impression. Around back, the theme continues with a matching light bar, vertically stacked taillights, and a swooping rear glass that replaces the usual trunk lid structure.

Tech and Driver-Focused Dash

Perhaps of more interest than the exterior of the P7 is the interior. The sedan comes with the same massive 87-inch augmented reality head-up display that Xiaomi recently premiered on the G7 SUV. There’s also a particularly sporty-looking three-spoke steering wheel with AMG-style dials to change certain modes and functions on the fly.

Adding to the high-tech atmosphere, the ambient lighting setup has been given special attention, while the central infotainment screen is mounted on a tilting panel that angles toward the driver. A slim digital gauge cluster sits just behind the wheel, and the bucket-style sport seats come with active side bolsters that inflate to keep the driver firmly in place during tight corners, a feature found in some high-end German performance models.

Performance Specs and Range Options

The P7 will be available with two battery options: a 74.9 kWh pack and a larger 92.92 kWh version. The standard configuration uses a single rear-mounted electric motor delivering 362 hp (270 kW). ). Buyers seeking more traction and performance can opt for the all-wheel-drive version, which adds a 224 hp (167 kW) motor at the front for a combined 586 hp (437 kW). This setup is expected to launch the car from 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds, with top speed capped at 142 mph.

Xpeng is targeting competitive range figures across the lineup. The base model promises up to 436 miles (702 km) on a single charge. Opting for the long-range rear-wheel-drive version increases that to 509 miles (820 km), while the dual-motor AWD variant lands at a still-impressive 466 miles (750 km).

Although specific charging times haven’t been confirmed, Xpeng says the P7 will support the same 5C fast-charging standard as the G7 SUV. That means just 10 minutes of charging could provide up to 271 miles (436 km) of added range, assuming similar conditions and infrastructure.

As for dimensions, the sedan measures 197.5 inches (5,017 mm) long, 77.6 inches (1,970 mm) wide, and 56.2 inches (1,427 mm) tall, with a 118.4-inch (3,008 mm) wheelbase, meaning it has a similar footprint to the Tesla Model S.

Also: EVs Are So Cheap In China Now Even Xi’s Worried

The second-generation P7 went on sale in China at the end of August with prices ranging from 219,800 yuan (about $30,200) to 301,800 yuan (around $41,500). Xpeng hasn’t confirmed European launch details yet, but those figures alone are sharp enough to make Western buyers rethink the value equation, even as the approach continues to spark debate within China about how sustainable it really is.