Xpeng P7 Turns the Road into a Runway: China’s EV Becomes the Hottest Fashion Icon on Social Media

Xpeng Motors, the Shanghai‑based electric‑vehicle start‑up, has turned its flagship sedan into a cultural product. The company’s most recent rollout, the “All‑New P7,” debuted at a glittering Beijing event on August 6, 2025—an occasion that drew film‑star Zhong Chuxi, actress Chen Yanxi, pop singer Zhu Zhengting and Olympic champion swimmer Ning Zetao. Each celebrity arrived in a different painted hue—star‑green, cloud‑white, nebula‑gray and rhythmic‑yellow—transforming the cars into a palette of high‑fashion accessories.

What has set the P7 apart in the eyes of netizens is its visual language. Users on Weibo repeatedly praise the car’s “颜值操控双在线” – a perfect marriage of looks and handling – and its “360度无死角的帅,” noting that the vehicle looks “handsome from every angle.” The sleek, low‑slung silhouette, described as “极致宽体低趴” and “黄金美学比例,” feels as though it stepped out of a sci‑fi film, prompting comments that the real car looks “100 times better than the pictures.” In the hands of influencers, the P7 has become a “出片神器,” a prop that guarantees eye‑catching content for Instagram‑style feeds.

Beyond aesthetics, the P7 is loaded with technology that reinforces its fashion‑forward image. Xpeng touts the industry’s first three‑axis flexible display, a “追光全景抬头显示” panoramic head‑up display, and an 800 V high‑voltage platform that enables 5 C ultra‑fast charging. Its autonomous‑driving suite relies on a pure‑vision approach paired with a proprietary “图灵芯片,” a nod to the AI pioneer Alan Turing that adds a dash of intellectual cachet to the glossy exterior. The cabin’s ambient lighting can shift through 256 colors in sync with music, turning every ride into a light show that further fuels the car’s “Instagrammability.”

Performance figures have not been left to the back seat. The rear‑wheel‑drive version promises a CLTC range of 820 km, while the four‑wheel‑drive variant can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in roughly three seconds. Yet reviewers note that even with such specs, the P7 remains “家用也能拿捏,” practical enough for everyday family use while still satisfying the thrill‑seeker.

The campaign’s success illustrates a broader shift in how automobiles are marketed—and consumed—in China. By enlisting high‑profile cultural figures and framing the vehicle as a fashion artifact, Xpeng is blurring the line between transportation and personal branding. This cross‑industry collaboration signals that carmakers are now as dependent on lifestyle influencers as on traditional automotive journalists. The “fashion‑first” narrative also challenges the long‑standing dominance of foreign luxury brands in China’s premium segment, suggesting that domestically produced EVs can command the same aspirational allure.

From a societal standpoint, the P7’s rise underscores the power of visual culture in shaping consumption. In an era where a single photo can spark virality, “Instagram‑ability” has become a vital product attribute, especially among younger, affluent consumers who see a vehicle as an extension of their identity. The emphasis on aesthetics does not erase the environmental narrative—electric propulsion still positions the P7 as part of China’s push toward greener mobility—but it reframes sustainability as a stylish choice rather than a sacrifice.

On the geopolitical stage, the phenomenon offers a subtle dose of soft power. A Chinese‑made electric sedan that can hold its own on the fashion runway projects an image of technological sophistication and creative confidence, aligning neatly with Beijing’s policy agenda to champion new‑energy vehicles and domestic innovation. The enthusiastic online response can be read as a public endorsement of the nation’s strategic emphasis on high‑tech manufacturing and design excellence.

In short, the Xpeng P7 has become more than a sedan; it is a cultural touchstone that weaves together sleek design, advanced technology, celebrity cachet, and digital bragging rights. As the fashion industry continues to snap, post, and hashtag the car, Xpeng’s gamble on style as a selling point appears to be paying off, heralding a future where the line between runway and road grows ever thinner.