There are some obvious cost cutting features on the PPX.
One size fits all grip. No replaceable grip inserts for larger or smaller hands.
Use of MIM parts. For some this is the Debil but many respectable guns now use MIM manufacturing to produce at least some parts (Glock for example). I am not a metallurgist but talked with one in a bar once. He told me that the MIM process lends itself very well to parts that are designed from the start to be MIM produced. He said such parts (if constructed properly) are every bit as strong and reliable as if they had been milled and heat treated in a traditional manner.
A “One Year” warranty which is a non-sequitur if you are building or buying a quality product but does probably help the bean counters sleep at night and lowers the margins required to cover “no charge” work on a ten year old gun that may even have been abused.
The use of a three-piece barrel construction utilizing some MIM technology. Less material wasted, less machining = less cost. FWIW- the venerable BHP has been using a two-piece barrel for years and most people don’t even know that. Just a hunch- the girth of the three piece barrel is likely what drives the bulkiness of the entire slide

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Thanks for the input. Seems a lot of guns are going to MIM firing pins. I wonder if that is the case here. My bodyguard has a MIM firing pin too. I can deal with the lack of warranty I think.

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They didn't bother with making it look good...I'm sure that saved them tons in design coats.

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The cost cutting originally came from the two piece barrel, simplified trigger system, more widespread use of MIM small parts, and somewhat different material in the frame, thought now they are being blown out because Walther ceased production of the PPX.

And yes they do have a lifetime warranty.

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Are they going to make something instead in the cheap gun catagory?