Xiaomi, a well-known Chinese smartphone manufacturer, has now entered the automotive industry with the unveiling of its first vehicle, the SU7. This four-door sedan, with the “SU” representing “Speed Ultra,” is positioned to deliver high performance. While Xiaomi’s products are not currently available in the U.S., it aims to sell the SU7 globally. The vehicle is built on an in-house platform called “Modena,” designed to accommodate various battery and motor configurations.
The SU7 offers a respectable range of specs, with the most basic setup featuring a single electric motor producing 294 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, achieving a 0-62 mph time of 5.3 seconds. The dual-motor AWD version boasts 664 horsepower, 614 pound-feet of torque, and can reach 0-62 mph in just 2.8 seconds. Xiaomi has cited the Porsche Taycan Turbo as its performance benchmark and sought to learn from the technology of the Tesla Model S.
In terms of range, it’s important to note that the numbers provided are calculated using the China Light Duty Test Cycle, which tends to produce optimistic figures. The base RWD car is claimed to have a range of 415 miles, while the AWD dual-motor car can go up to 497 miles on a full charge. However, these numbers may be lower if tested on the EPA cycle.
The sedan’s aerodynamic design, created by former BMW designer Sawyer Li, incorporates elements reminiscent of the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model 3. Despite limited interior photos, one can spot a large central infotainment system, a small digital instrument cluster, a traditional steering wheel, toggles on the center console, and a head-up display in the provided image.
Xiaomi has shared exterior photos of the SU7 in Aqua Blue, Mineral Gray, and Verdant Green. The company expects to launch the SU7 for sale in China in the coming months, but pricing details have not yet been disclosed. This move marks Xiaomi’s foray into the automobile market and shows its ambition to compete on the global stage.