Xiaomi, the Chinese tech giant known for its affordable smartphones and gadgets, has entered the electric vehicle (EV) market with its first car, the Xiaomi SU7. The SU7 is a sleek and powerful sedan that aims to compete with the likes of Porsche, Tesla, and other premium EV brands. In this article, we will take a closer look at the features, specifications, and launch details of the Xiaomi SU7 and how it fits into Xiaomi’s broader strategy of becoming a global leader in smart mobility.
Design and Features
The Xiaomi SU7 electric car is a four-door sedan with a fastback roofline and a faux-hatch trunk. It measures 4,997 mm in length, 1,963 mm in width, and 1,455 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,000 mm. It has a drag coefficient of 0.25, lower than the Tesla Model S and the Porsche Taycan. The SU7 comes with two-wheel options: 19-inch and 20-inch, fitted with 245/45 R19 and 245/40 R20 tires, respectively.
The exterior design of the SU7 is a mix of influences from various sports cars, such as the McLaren, the Porsche, and the Tesla. The headlights are shaped like the ones on a McLaren supercar, while the overall silhouette is reminiscent of the Tesla Model 3 with some elements of the Porsche Taycan. The rear features a connected taillight that spans the width of the car, giving it a futuristic look.
The interior of the SU7 is spacious and minimalist, with a large 15.6-inch touchscreen as the centerpiece of the dashboard. The screen runs on Xiaomi’s HyperOS, an in-house developed operating system that can power both smartphones and cars. The HyperOS allows the driver to access various functions and features of the car, such as navigation, entertainment, climate control, and settings. The SU7 also supports voice control, face recognition, and gesture control, making it a smart and interactive car.
One of the most distinctive features of the SU7 is its lidar system, which is installed behind the front windshield. The lidar system uses lasers to scan the surroundings and create a 3D map of the environment, which can help the car to perform driver assistance and autonomous driving functions. The SU7 also has a camera on the B-pillar, which can be used to unlock the car using face recognition. The SU7 is expected to have advanced safety and security features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind spot detection, collision warning, and emergency braking.
Performance and Battery
The Xiaomi SU7 has two powertrain options: a rear-wheel drive setup with a single electric motor and an all-wheel drive setup with two electric motors. The rear-wheel drive version has a power output of 295 hp and a torque of 450 Nm, while the all-wheel drive version has a combined power output of 663 hp and a torque of 900 Nm. The rear-wheel drive version can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, while the all-wheel drive version can do it in 2.78 seconds, beating the Porsche Taycan and the Tesla Model S. The top speed of the rear-wheel drive version is 210 km/h, while the all-wheel drive version can reach 265 km/h.
The Xiaomi SU7 uses two different types of battery packs, depending on the trim level. The lower-end version uses a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack supplied by BYD, while the higher-end version uses a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery pack supplied by CATL. The battery packs have a voltage of 800 V, which allows for faster charging and higher efficiency. The battery capacity and range of the SU7 have not been officially announced yet, but some reports suggest that the higher-end version will have a 100 kWh battery pack that can deliver a range of 800 km on a single charge.
The Xiaomi SU7 supports both AC and DC charging, and can be charged using various methods, such as wall outlets, public charging stations, and wireless charging pads. The SU7 can also use Xiaomi’s smart home ecosystem to connect with other devices and appliances, such as smart speakers, smart TVs, and smart lights. The SU7 can also share its battery power with other devices, such as smartphones, laptops, and electric bikes, using a feature called Vehicle-to-Load (V2L).
Launch and Price
The Xiaomi SU7 was unveiled on December 28, 2023, at a special event in Beijing. Xiaomi’s founder and CEO Lei Jun announced the company’s ambitious plans to become one of the world’s top five automakers. The SU7 is the first product of Xiaomi’s automobile division, established in March 2023 with an initial investment of $10 billion. Xiaomi has partnered with Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co. (BAIC), a state-owned car manufacturer, to produce the SU7 on contract. BAIC is China's sixth-largest carmaker and produces cars for Mercedes and Hyundai for the local market.
The Xiaomi SU7 is expected to start mass production in December 2023, and deliveries will begin in February 2024. The SU7 will be available in three trim levels: SU7, SU7 Pro, and SU7 Max, as well as a special Founders Edition for early adopters. The price of the SU7 has not been revealed yet, but some analysts estimate that it will range from $40,000 to $60,000, depending on the configuration and options. The SU7 will initially be sold only in China, but Xiaomi intends to expand to other markets, such as Europe, India, and Southeast Asia.
Conclusion
The Xiaomi SU7 is a bold and impressive entry into the electric vehicle market by the smartphone maker, which aims to challenge established players like Porsche, Tesla, and other premium EV brands. The SU7 combines a sleek and sporty design, a powerful and efficient performance, a smart and interactive interior, and a competitive and affordable price, making it a compelling and attractive option for EV buyers. The SU7 also showcases Xiaomi’s vision of smart mobility, where cars are vehicles and platforms for connecting with other devices and services. The SU7 is a testament to Xiaomi’s innovation and ambition and a sign of the company’s potential to become a global leader in the EV industry.
