Xiaomi goes wild with 1,526-horsepower version of its debut SU7 electric vehicle – and heads to the Nürburgring to break records
Xiaomi surprised the world when it unveiled its first electric car earlier this year. According to the company, it sold over 75,000 units in the first 28 days, making it one of the most-hyped cars in China (and beyond) in 2024.
Now, the tech company is hoping to make headlines again with the unveiling of a triple-motor prototype that could be one of the fastest electric vehicles on the market… if it ever comes to market.
Currently, the standard SU7 model is rear-wheel drive and comes equipped with a 74kWh battery that can travel approximately 434 miles on a single charge. It can accelerate from 0-62 mph in a respectable 5.3 seconds.
There’s also a Max version on sale in China with a larger 101kWh battery, dual motors, and a 0-62 mph time claimed at 2.8 seconds. To achieve nearly double the power of the Max, Xiaomi has equipped the SU7 Ultra with three motors.
Two of these are larger, revised versions of the existing technology and are now called V8S, while one of the smaller, original V6S units is also in place.
There’s no official word on battery packs, but it’s suggested it’ll draw energy from the same 101kWh unit as the Max. The result is a race-ready vehicle that puts out around 1,526bhp and can accelerate to a top speed of 217mph.
According to Xiaomi, the SU7 Ultra is clearly designed for the track and comes with six-piston brake calipers from AP Racing and huge ventilated discs. Combined with the improved regenerative braking system, this car delivers a braking force of no less than 2.36G.
Then there are the signature bodywork tweaks, including wider wheel arches, a huge rear spoiler (for downforce) and a much lower ride height for improved handling and aerodynamics.
Slides released by the brand show that it is aiming for a weight of 1,900 kg. With that, the brand says it will be lighter than a Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and a Tesla Model S Plaid, two powerful electric cars with which the brand clearly compares itself.
Lei Jun, CEO of Xiaomi posted on X that the SU7 Ultra prototype will take to the iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife later this year, where the company is expected to attempt to break the records set by the aforementioned Taycan Turbo GT.
Prototype or the real deal?
The Xiaomi SU7 is a bargain in the domestic market. The standard version cost 215,900 yuan (or around $30,500 / £23,000 / AU$45,000) when it went on sale earlier this year.
The SU7 is designed to compete with the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S and has been a success, according to the manufacturer. However, there is no indication yet that the car will expand its business outside of China.
The fact that the company is taking a powerful halo model to one of Europe’s most notorious race circuits could be a sign that the company wants to compete with the most advanced Western electric car manufacturers.
That could also suggest that the company is planning to grab the attention of European buyers and, buoyed by the recent European sales successes of Chinese stablemate BYD, attempt to conquer a new market.
