Xiaomi has officially unveiled its inaugural electric vehicle, the Xiaomi SU7, marking a significant milestone in the company’s venture into the automotive industry. The base model of the car boasts an impressive range of 668 km, while the premium version extends that to 800 km.
Strategic Entry into Electric Vehicles
The Chinese tech giant initially announced its foray into electric vehicle production in March 2021, with Xiaomi’s CEO, Lei Jun, revealing a substantial investment of $1.4 billion in the automotive business.
Leaked Previews and Key Specifications
Prior to the official announcement, leaked photos and videos surfaced online, providing a sneak peek into the Xiaomi SU7, courtesy of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China. These leaks divulged crucial specifications about the electric vehicle.
Two Variants: SU7 and SU7 Max
Following the formal unveiling, it revealed that the Xiaomi SU7 would come in two variants: SU7 and SU7 Max. The base rear-wheel-drive SU7 model features a proprietary V6 engine developed by Xiaomi, delivering a maximum power of 220 kW and a torque of 400 Nm. Accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.28 seconds, the SU7 is equipped with a 73.6 kWh Qilin battery from CATL, providing a range of 668 km.
Premium All-Wheel-Drive Experience with SU7 Max
The all-wheel-drive SU7 Max, on the other hand, comes with a larger 101 kWh Qilin battery from CATL, offering an impressive maximum range of 800 km. With a power of 475 kW, the all-wheel-drive variant accelerates the Xiaomi SU7 from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 2.78 seconds, reaching a top speed of 265 km/h.
Efficient Charging System
The SU7 battery is designed to replenish energy for a range of 220 km in just 5 minutes, 390 km in 10 minutes, and 510 km in 15 minutes, showcasing the efficiency of the charging system.
Aerodynamic Design and Dimensions
Xiaomi emphasizes the SU7’s aerodynamic design, featuring a drag coefficient of 0.195. Dimensions-wise, the Xiaomi SU7 is slightly longer than the Porsche Taycan, measuring 4997/1963/1455 mm with a wheelbase of 3000 mm. The front trunk has a capacity of 105 liters, while the rear offers a spacious 517 liters.
Immersive Cabin Experience
Inside the SU7’s cabin, a 16.1-inch central display with 3K resolution takes center stage, complemented by two 7.1-inch LCD screens for rear-seat passengers. Navigation is prominently displayed on a 56-inch HUD.
Advanced Technology Integration
The operating system, HyperOS, runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 processor, and the Xiaomi Pilot autonomous driving system utilizes the Nvidia Orin-X chip with a computational power of 508 TOPS.
Global Competition and Future Aspirations
In the Chinese market, the SU7 is poised to compete with the likes of the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S. Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s CEO, envisions the company securing a position among the top five automotive companies globally within the next 15-20 years. The electric vehicle is scheduled to hit the market in early 2024, although Xiaomi has yet to disclose the pricing for the SU7 and SU7 Max.
Clarity on Pricing from Xiaomi’s CEO
Addressing speculations about the vehicle’s cost, Xiaomi’s CEO remarked, “Enough with the trolling; the car will not be priced at 140,000 yuan ($19.8 thousand). Show some respect for the technology underpinning the car.”
