Xpeng is officially in the UK and its electric G6 SUV will set you back £40k

Prices have been confirmed for the Tesla Model Y-rivalling Xpeng G6, and they start from [drumroll] £39,990. That makes it over 20 grand cheaper than its prime US rival.

What's an 'Xpeng G6', you might cry? A tech-heavy electric SUV made in China, and now available in the UK. There are two versions of the G6 on offer, and both cars feature a chassis with an integrated battery pack that results in much weight reduction – it's about as heavy as the relatively diminutive Cupra Born. The entry-level, rear-wheel-drive G6 kicks things off with a 66kWh battery, good for up to 270 miles and able to fast charge up to 215kW.

The standard colour palette is a mono-tastic white, black (+ £700) or grey (+ £700, too), but if you fancy the fiery orange featuring purple sparkles pictured here, you’ve got to opt for the long-range variant. That's the other version available, with prices starting from £44,990, plus the £900 to look like a giant, sparkly tangerine. Do it.

Unsurprisingly, this long-range version claims a longer range than the 66kWh car - 354 miles - but it's not that long, considering its 87.5kWh battery. Because the much smaller VW ID.3 has a 77kWh battery and manages 347 miles. For our mathematically challenged grey cells, that... makes no sense. Fortunately, the G6's bigger battery is configured to draw up to 280kW, so that's something.

The interior is minimalist, super roomy and very tech-equipped. Connected Millennials (not typically folks with New-new Car budgets) are the target market, and there is lots of 'if you build it, they will come' ambition. And let's not forget the future promises for fully autonomous driving capabilities (features already permitted in China) that'll attract the ultra-patient, endlessly forgiving early adopter-types.

Of course, Xpeng the brand has also now officially launched in the UK, to a fanfare of AI mutterings, technological hype and... temporary ignorance of the red tape that prevents fully autonomous vehicles driving on UK roads right now.

Though, it's actually one of the few brands that has a solid chance of breaking ground here in Blighty. On display alongside the G6 is the too-big-for-Europe G9, the very sophisticated X9 people carrier we expect to see here at the end of the year, and the P7+ saloon with all its world-first claims of AI definition.

Indeed, Xpeng has formed a mighty shrewd distribution partnership with IM Group – the same folks that first introduced Hyundai, Maserati and Subaru into the UK market. It’ll be up against BYD (reporting January sales figures that outstripped Tesla's) and others, but less-connected newcomers have a steeper climb to establish long-term success. Interested?