Xiaomi’s SU7 Ultra Prototype Eyes Nürburgring Records Before 2025 Launch
Xiaomi, a giant initially known for its smartphones, made headlines in September 2021 by venturing into the automotive industry with the establishment of its automotive division. Fast forward to late 2023, and the launch of its first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), the SU7, marked Xiaomi’s ambitious entry into the electric car market. The vehicle received an enthusiastic reception, prompting Xiaomi to adjust its production target from the initial 60,000 units to cater to the burgeoning demand.
Leveraging a massive customer base of 20 million smartphone users in China, Xiaomi adopted an ingenious sales and marketing strategy for the SU7. The strategy proved phenomenally successful, as evidenced by the staggering 50,000 orders received within the first 27 minutes of going on sale, which boosted Xiaomi’s market value by $4 billion. Within a sheer span of 32 days from its launch, Xiaomi had already manufactured 10,000 units of the SU7, available in three variants: Standard, Pro, and Max, showcasing the company’s efficient production capabilities.
Building on this momentum, Xiaomi is not resting on its laurels. The company introduced a new spectacle in automotive technology, the tri-motor prototype, the SU7 Ultra, capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in a mere 1.97 seconds and reaching a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph). This vehicle is poised to set a world record as the fastest four-door vehicle and will soon transition from a prototype to a production model—the SU7 Ultra—expected to hit the market in the first half of 2025. While the production model will retain most features of the prototype including the three electric V8 motors and 800V architecture, it will replace the all-carbon fiber body with more cost-effective materials.
The prowess of the SU7 Ultra will be put to the test at the iconic Nürburgring track in October, where it aims to set new record times. This event is set to coincide with Xiaomi’s plans to ramp up the production of an additional 10,000 units of the SU7 in July, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to meet high demand.
While the production version of the SU7 Ultra will omit the carbon fiber body, it is still expected to be one of the fastest mass-market four-door vehicles. Details concerning the battery size and the overall weight of the production version remain under wraps. Xiaomi’s CEO, Lei Jun, hinted that the SU7 Ultra would carry a price tag slightly higher than its predecessors, although specific price-related details were not disclosed.
All this information has been actively shared by Xiaomi Auto via Weibo, underscoring the company’s strategy to maintain open communication with its consumer base and stakeholders through social media. As Xiaomi continues to push the boundaries of electric vehicle technology, the automotive industry watches eagerly, anticipating the next moves of what was once primarily a smartphone manufacturer. This foray into the automotive sector not only diversifies Xiaomi’s portfolio but also signals new competitive dynamics in the global market for electric vehicles.
