XPeng G6 is good but is it my car of the year?

XPeng G6 drive by Steve Rogers

Chinese brands are moving the fastest across the UK and in the words of one industry analyst ‘they are no longer a side show, they are the main event’.

If you want a reason why then take a look at this. The stunning XPeng G6 is the company’s first model to hit our roads but at least the Chinese can’t take the credit for its exotic styling. That is the work of a Spanish designer who has plied his trade at Lamborghini and Ferrari.

The electric G6 has hit the ground running with performance, range, fast charging, and technology that is both mind blowing and infuriating. It is impressive enough to drop into my shortlist for car of the year but you will have to read to the end to find out if it has taken the crown.

The styling is there for all to see, SUV size with flowing coupe lines, there are no creases or angles here, just nose to tail smooth.

Inside is where it gets interesting. Typical Chinese minimalist layout, the dashboard dominated by a near 15 inch touchscreen, the only switches are on the steering wheel, and then the blood pressure starts to build trying to figure out how to perform the simplest of functions.

The single interface controls everything. I reached to the driver’s door to adjust the mirrors, it is always there or thereabouts. Nothing. After a lot of trawling through sub menus on the main screen I discovered a diagram which showed the door mirrors are adjusted from the steering wheel. The same screen dive applies to setting the regenerative braking strength.

Frustrating though it was, you cannot help but admire the level of technology the Chinese have brought to motoring. Yet for all that the G6 doesn’t have keyless entry, or does it? Maybe I couldn’t find how to activate it.

What I will say is thank heavens for voice control. A little robot appears on the screen and will control the heated or ventilated seat levels and steering wheel heat, adjust heating temperature or fan power, sort out a destination and find a radio station. Just as well because I even struggled to find my favourite stations.

When I finally cracked the radio I discovered a huge catalogue of music offering hundreds of albums and artists from every genre backed up by a formidable 960W 18 speaker sound system, a great way to listen to your favourite bands or classical composers. Best advice is to travel with a nerdy teenager who will suss this tech challenge in no time.

One final mystery… the G6 didn’t appear to have a glove box, or did it? I pressed everywhere without any luck so is the opening buried in a menu? Someone will know.

Aside from the technology woes the cabin is a great space with smart contemporary trims, solid build quality, comfortable seating and loads of room front and back. The front seat backs fold flat so you can have 40 winks while the car is being charged. Back seat passengers in particular will appreciate the impressive glass roof. G6 seats five in comfort and there is ample boot space for luggage.

For a first effort XPeng has done its homework on the technical front. The G6 is based on 800-volt technology and with DC charging capacity of up to 280kW can reach 80% in less than 20 minutes. A new G6 coming early next year will do the job in 12 minutes. An overnighter will charge the car at home.

There are two battery choices, a lithium-iron 66 kWh with a 270-mile range or a nickel 87.5 kWh with a range of up to 354 miles. A heat pump is standard and will reduce battery wear when the heating is turned on.

Performance from my larger battery model is brisk and the predicted range turned out to be pretty accurate. Next year’s twin motor all wheel drive model will have even more power and match the best of the opposition on acceleration.

Ride quality is a shade above average, G6 is not uncomfortable but as with many of the Chinese brands the suspension settings don’t provide a good enough cushion against poorer road surfaces.

So how has G6 done? Well it hasn’t got my car of the year, that goes to the perfect Kia EV3 ahead of the Seat Tavascan with XPeng G6 a worthy third given this is a first effort. It looks fantastic and delivers on performance, range and safety features and is very well equipped. Not bad out of the 37 road tests this year. Interesting that my top three this year are electric.

Fast facts

G6 Long range

£44,990 (starts £39,935)

Battery 87.5kW

Range 354 miles

0-62mph 6.2secs; 280bhp

Zero emissions. 1st tax £195

Boot: 571-1374 litres

Insurance group 44

Town Council invites people to join free community art project

Llangollen Town Council is inviting anyone who loves to be creative to be part of a new free community art project.

They are asking people to help create some beautifully decorated wooden benches that will be placed around the Llangollen area.

And to do this they'll be using pyrography – a fascinating technique that burns designs into wood – with the aim of helping bring local stories and creativity to life.

A council spokesperson said: "No experience is necessary, all designs are provided and our skilled tutor will guide you every step of the way. It's suitable for adults and families with older children and completely free to take part in."

A taster session is arranged for Tuesday January 13 when the tutor will show everyone how to use the pyrography tools and help them to create small items to take home, such as a keyring or coaster. 

This will prepare them for the four weeks of two-hour sessions where they will work on their own benches. 

The spokesperson added: "This session would also be particularly suited to adults - or parents with children in school as the sessions are on Tuesdays, 9.30-11.30am, or 11.45am-13.45pm, on January 20 and 27 and February 3 and 10 - and to home educated families with parents and older children taking part together to decorate their own bench. 

"The benches will be installed around the Llangollen area later in the Spring. No previous art experience is necessary as the tutor will guide everyone through the process and provide a choice of designs to use."  

* If you'd like to get involved, use the link below or scan the QR code on the posters above.

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Ug4_TzS3ZEGUCRtgHRR5k_tS4YTytwxBhpJ_iBV2ePNUMDBPRlE2Q0hJUkIwUjE3MEhUNUM0REJSQi4u&route=shorturl

Inner Wheel's delicious Festive Tea Party goes down a treat

* The cast of the panto Dick Whittington.

Llangollen Inner Wheel staged it's annual Festive Tea Party at St Collen's Community Hall yesterday (Sunday).

On the menu was traditional afternoon tea plus fizzy wine and a full programme of local entertainment ranging from a taste of pantomime to traditional Welsh song.

The panto selection came from around 30 cast members from Llangollen Pantomime Group's forthcoming production of Dick Whittington, which hits the Town Hall stage from January 15-18.

They sang numbers from their past shows plus a couple of Christmas favourites including Santa Clause is Coming to Town and Frosty the Snowman.

Another treat was an appearance by the duo Idle Lies, consisting of Ewan Smith and Sam Leonard, whose highlight number was Next Christmas You'll Be Home, written by Sam as a tribute to their friend Daniel Parsonage, who suffered a life-threating brain haemorrhage last summer, and with performances of which they have so far raised £5,000 for the Walton Centre NHS Foundation where he was treated.

David Scott, a member of the Rhos Male Voice Choir, sang two moving traditional Welsh songs - Dafydd y Garreg Wen (David of the White Rock) and My Little Welsh Home - without accompaniment.

Mike Connolly gave an impromptu rendition of the seasonal number Mary's Boy Child and Phil Robinson opened the show in festive spirit with Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Winter Wonderland.

The show, which was compered by well-known after dinner speaker Andy Conde, was rounded off by a selection of carols in which the audience was led by Gethin Davies.

* Idle Lies (Ewan left and Sam right).

* David Scott.

* Mike Connolly.

* Phil Robinson.

* Gethin Davies conducts the closing carols.

Part of Castle Street closed today for manhole works

* The diversion sign at the Mill Street end of Castle Street.

Part of Castle Street is closed today to allow work to be carried out on a manhole outside number 36.

The section of the carriageway closed is from Market Street to Berwyn Street (A5).

There is a diversion sign at the Mill Street end of the street pointing back towards Trevor, which some drivers appear to be taking as an indication that the entire length is closed.

However, this is not the case and drivers heading on into Castle Street are finding a second diversion sign near the roadworks pointing into Market Street. And those following this route are eventually finding their way along Market Street and onto the A5 at the end.

* The other diversion sign pointing into Market Street.

Latest local roadworks bulletin from county council

Brook Street, Llangollen until 27/03/2026, Active Travel Improvements from the A5 up Brook Street, towards Ysgol Bryn Collen / Y Gwernant, Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

Carriageway OS Number 36 Castle Street, 14/12/2025, Gwaith ar Dwll Archwilio/ Man Hole Works, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD 16/12/2025, Torri Coed / Tree Cutting 

OUTSIDE NUMBER 9 CASTLE STREET 01/02/2026, Gwaith Nwy / Gas Works WALES & WEST (DCC)

Collen Players present a cracker of a Christmas show

* The Collen Players assemble for the final curtain.

Llangollen's Collen Players gave an audience in festive mood a real Christmas cracker of a show with Deck the Halls, their heart-warming festive variety treat last night (Friday).

As promised, it was an evening packed with timeless singalong favourites, sparkling nostalgia and old-fashioned charm, which was the perfect way to start the seasonal celebrations.

All money raised on the night goes to the appeal to restore and preserve St Collen's ancient and historic hammer-beam ceiling.

Topping the evening's bill was Colin Bourdiec, the ukulele maestro who pays a jolly tribute to the great George Formby and many more old time favourites besides.

The Chairman of Charm, Leonard Naylor, delighted with some daring ditties and delightful solo numbers. 

Stepping up on stage first came Collen Players regular Phil Robinson with a couple of numbers designed to charm the chill from the night - Winter Wonderland and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.   

Miss Susan Stokes, billed as the Silver Songbird, followed with her candle-glow cosy song I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, then a reading of A Yorkshire Nativity by Gervaise Fin. In the second half she sang Mary Did You Know.

Mike Connolly exercised his considerable choral range to the full with Let There Be Peace on Earth in the first half. He was back later for a touching version of O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fidelis).

The Chairman himself captured the fun of the night with his rendition of the comedy nugget The Night I Appeared as Macbeth and, later, his showpiece asked, Who'll Come and Roll Mother's Pudding? 

Alison Jarvis entertained with her amusing poem Santa's Greatest Secret.

Colin Bourdiec gave us a musical reminder of why we still love the legendary Lancashire lad George Formby before leading the audience in an hilarious Twelve Days of Christmas, which had them bobbing up and down like corks and he was back for the grand finale with a touch of magic.  

Jayne on keyboard and Clayton on drums provided some solid accompaniment to the various artistes throughout the bill, with Jayne also teaming up with the Chairman for the piano duet Jingle Bells. 

And there was ample opportunity for the audience to air their own vocal talents with the many seasonal-themed sing-along numbers available, including the closing numbers of Down at the Old Bull and Bush and White Christmas.

* Pictures by Jeanette Robinson

* The Chairman.

* Alison Jarvis.

                                                   * Colin Bourdiec.

* Mike Connolly.

* Susan Stokes.

* Phil Robinson.

* Clayton on the drums and Jayne on the keyboard.

Collen Players present their festive variety show tonight

Llangollen's Collen Players are giving you the chance to step back into the magic of Christmases gone by with their heart-warming festive variety show tonight (Friday).

They promise an evening filled with timeless singalong favourites, sparkling nostalgia and old-fashioned charm, which is the perfect way to start your Christmas celebrations.

All money raised goes to the appeal to restore and preserve St Collen's ancient and historic hammer beam ceiling.

Topping the evening's bill, which starts at 6.30pm, will be Colin Bourdiec, the ukulele maestro who pays a jolly tribute to the great George Formby.

The Chairman of Charm delights with some daring ditties and Phil “Razzle-Dazzle” Robinson returns with a seasonal selection. 

Miss Sue Stokes, billed as our Silver Songbird, will enchant with her splendiferous arrangements and Mike Connolly will exercise his considerable choral expertise to the full.

Jayne and Clayton — the Melodious Magicians of Melody and Mirth - will provide some stupendous backing throughout the night, with Jayne weaving wonder upon the keys and Clayton conjuring cadence on the drums, this dynamic duo deliver rhythm, rapture and rollicking rejoicing.

There will also be the chance for the audience themselves their own vocal talents with many sing-along opportunities. 

Entry price includes festive supper.

* Book your tickets at: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/llangollen/st-collens-community-hall/deck-the-halls-christmas-show/2025-12-12/d-zvvxkysygvqkp