Xiaomi, a well-known Chinese brand that was once synonymous with affordable smartphones, has now set its sights on the electric vehicle market. The company recently unveiled its first-ever electric car, the Xiaomi SU7, at an event in Beijing.
The SU7 is a sedan based on Xiaomi’s Modena Architecture, featuring HyperEngine electric motors and a chassis stamped by the company’s die-casting machines.
Xiaomi is making bold claims about the performance and technology of the SU7, suggesting that it can outperform Porsche and offers more advanced features than Tesla.
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The Xiaomi SU7 will be available in two models: the dual-motor all-wheel-drive SU7 Max and the single-motor rear-wheel-drive SU7. While the prices have yet to be announced, Xiaomi is already boasting about the impressive capabilities of the SU7 Max.
It claims that the car has a range of up to 800km (497 miles) according to the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) and can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 2.78 seconds. These figures supposedly surpass the performance of Tesla’s Model S and Porsche’s Taycan Turbo.
One of the key factors contributing to the SU7’s performance is its battery technology. Xiaomi has partnered with battery maker CATL, which has provided a generous 101kWh 800V high-voltage platform for the SU7 Max.
This platform allows for a range of 220km with just a 5-minute charge, or 390km in 10 minutes, or 510km in 15 minutes. The base model of the SU7 supports 400V charging and has a smaller 73.6kWh battery, offering a range of up to 668km or 415 miles.
To bring its electric car vision to life, Xiaomi has assembled a team of talented individuals from the auto industry.
CEO Lei Jun has highlighted the contributions of Tianyuan Li, formerly of BMW’s iX series and iVision concepts, and James Qiu, who previously worked on Mercedes-Benz’s Vision EQXX design.
The team also recruited Chris Bangle, a BMW veteran, as their design consultant. The SU7 is comparable in size to the BMW 5 series and offers three color options: aqua blue, gray, and olive green.
During the launch event, Lei Jun emphasized the spaciousness of the SU7, highlighting the generous legroom and trunk space. The car features distinctive “water droplet” headlamps, which resemble the Chinese character for “rice” – a nod to Xiaomi’s brand name.
The rear brake light consists of 360 LEDs arranged in a halo shape. The SU7 also boasts a HyperOS in-car entertainment system powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8295 processor.
The system includes a 16.1-inch 3K central screen and optional Xiaomi Pad tablets that can be mounted on magnetic ports behind the front headrests.
The user interface on the central screen allows for multitasking with up to three split windows, and users can even cast their Xiaomi phones’ screens for a seamless experience. Music and video entertainment are enhanced by the presence of 23 internal Dolby Atmos speakers.
With its SU7 electric car, Xiaomi is making a bold entry into the competitive electric vehicle market. The company’s claims of superior performance and advanced technology will undoubtedly attract attention from consumers and industry experts alike.
As Xiaomi continues to expand its product portfolio, it will be interesting to see how the SU7 fares against established players like Tesla and Porsche.
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