XPeng Mona L03 spotted testing on German roads

A heavily camouflaged prototype of the new XPeng Mona L03 was spotted driving around Munich, Germany. The disguised vehicle had Polish license plates despite being of Chinese origin and being tested in the heart of Bavaria. This unusual detail added a bit of mystery, with local onlookers trying to guess the vehicle's true identity.

The decision to test the Mona L03 on public roads in Munich reveals a highly strategic plan. Germany is a main engineering hub for the global automotive industry - its demanding roads are the perfect environment for fine-tuning new EVs. By evaluating the vehicle's driving dynamics and safety systems under European conditions, XPeng is clearly preparing for an international market entry. In fact, the choice of location suggests that the company might choose Germany for the global debut later this summer.

The new crossover is the second model in the budget-friendly Mona family line. Car brands across the world are trying to capture budget-conscious buyers, making affordable electric cars the most important segment in the industry today. XPeng used to focus on more premium segments, but the Mona series targets a much broader international audience. Following its initial regulatory reveal, the company plans to host the official public debut in July, with a full commercial launch happening immediately afterward.

XPeng launched its first model in this series, the Mona M03 liftback, back in August 2024. Buyers responded instantly, placing more than 10,000 orders in under one hour of the official sales launch. Between August 2024 and May 2026, the company successfully delivered 272,077 units of the liftback to customers. Low pricing drove that massive sales phenomenon, with the sedan selling in China for between RMB 119,800 and RMB 151,800, which equals roughly $17,700 to $22,400. We expect the new crossover to maintain a similar aggressive pricing structure to keep the sales momentum alive, though obviously - the European price will be higher.

Government regulatory filings in China leaked the official specifications of the new model. The compact crossover measures exactly 15.26 ft long, 6.3 ft wide, and 5.25 ft tall. It also has a relatively long wheelbase of 9.35 ft, which typically gives passengers a generous amount of legroom inside the cabin. Depending on the exact configuration and options chosen by the buyer, the vehicle has a curb weight ranging between 4,090 lb and 4,134 lb.

The Mona L03 shares a clear family connection with the older sedan model - it adopts the same recognizable T-shaped headlights and a sharply sloped hood line. However, the new model has semi-hidden door handles on the side panels and a clean, single taillight strip that stretches across the rear trunk lid. An active front air intake sits inside the lower bumper to manage component cooling, while bright, colorful brake calipers peek out from behind the wheels. Buyers can choose between 18-inch or 20-inch wheels depending on their selected trim level.

XPeng decided to offer two completely different powertrain configurations for the first time in this market segment. Customers can choose between a traditional Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) configuration or an Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) system. The BEV version uses a single electric motor that produces 183 kW (245 horsepower) paired with two different Lithium Iron Phosphate battery options - a 56 kWh capacity or a larger 69 kWh pack. Under official Chinese testing conditions, these battery packs provide a driving range between 314 miles and 404 miles.

For buyers who prefer an alternative to standard electric cars, the EREV variant offers a compelling middle ground. This version has the exact same 183 kW electric motor to turn the wheels, but it adds a small 1.5-liter gasoline engine to the package. The gasoline engine produces 70 kW, or 94 horsepower, and acts as an on-board generator to feed electricity to a smaller battery. When driving purely on electricity, the EREV version can travel up to 160 miles before the gasoline generator needs to turn on.

Mona L03 testing in Germany ahead of its official reveal suggests we have a big surprise on our hands - it is possible we are looking at a European launch or at least, early availability of the new Mona on our roads. The Polish number plates are simply a clever workaround for the notorious German bureaucracy - it is much quicker and easier to register test vehicles in Poland. When the Mona L03 debuts in Europe, and if it is priced correctly, we will have a serious market disruptor and many upset automakers.