Xiaomi may be known more for their consumer electronics, but now, they’re getting into the automotive space as well. The Beijing-based tech firm wants to become one of the world’s top five automakers in the next two decades and their first step in that direction is with the SU7 all-electric sedan.
Partnering with BAIC (Beijing Automotive Group Co.,), a state-owned manufacturer, the SU7 will be produced at a plant with an annual capacity of 200,000 units.
Built on a bespoke Modena platform, the Xiaomi SU7 is roughly the same size as a Tesla Model S or Porsche Taycan. With a wheelbase matching that of pickup trucks (3,000 mm), it allows for generous interior space, including 105 mm of rear legroom as well as 517 liters of rear trunk space and 105 liters of front trunk or “frunk” space.
Designed under the supervision of former BMW chief designer Chris Bangle, the Xiaomi SU7 has a claimed co-efficient of drag at just 0.195. Its wind-cheating shape, active grille shutters, and its various inlets/outlets features elements like triangular-shaped headlights and full-width taillights.
Inside, the execution’s minimalist. At the center is a 16.1-inch touchscreen with a 3K resolution. There’s also a small digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver, and thankfully, some physical controls. The entire system is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip, while Xiaomi’s HyperOS powers the infotainment system and happens to incorporate both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
During the launch, Xiaomi announced a family of engines to power their EVs. The base “HyperEngine V6” operates at 400 volts and is rated at 299 horsepower and 400 Nm. There’s also the same engine operating at 800 volts that provides 374 horsepower and 500 Nm. Finally, there’s the 578 horsepower, 635 Nm “HyperEngine V8” which will enter production by 2025.
For the SU7, the 800-volt HyperEngine V6 equates to a 0 to 100 km/h time of 5.28 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h for the base rear-wheel drive version, while the dual motor setup and its combined 673 horsepower and 838 Nm of torque reaches the century mark in just 2.78 seconds and a top speed of 265 km/h.
The CATL supplied battery comes in two sizes—73.6-kWh for the base variant and 101-kWh for top-of-the-line SU7 Max. Xiaomi says this variant can outperform both the Taycan Turbo and Tesla Model S in 0 to 100 km/h times and top speed. When driven sensibly, the larger battery variant can go 800 kilometers between charges.
Making sure all that horsepower hits the pavement properly, the SU7 comes with air suspension with adaptive dampers and an active rear wing with four levels of adjustments.
On the safety and driver assistance side of things, the SU7 will come with the brand’s Advanced Driver Assist tech called Xiaomi Pilot. It has also managed to pass all pertinent crash tests thanks to a body made of 90.1 percent high-strength steel and aluminum alloy.
The SU7 will come in three exterior colors (Aqua Blue, Mineral Gray, and Verdant Green), while the interior comes in either gray, red, or black. Xiaomi didn’t announce any pricing details, but it will go on sale in China sometime this year. No word if it’ll be offered outside its home country.
Sounds impressive. China looks to be taking over the BEV game.
ReplyDeleteTop 5 world car maker???🤯🤯🤯. Maybe xiaomi think making cars are just like making phones. Byd maybe could enter top 5, but for xiaomi its an impossible nonsense dream...
ReplyDeleteLoser mentality lang nagiisip ng impossible
Delete100% probability Magiging loser naman talaga yang xiaomi sa kanilang car ventures. They should instead set a modest goal of maybe top last 5🤣🤣🤣
DeleteAnything is possible
DeleteYeah xiaomi car ventures could blèed it dry and in a decade it could declared bankruptcy just liked many china EV company before them. Re: evergrande EV ventures, weismenster, etc.
DeleteHeard about BYD? Big fail ba Yung Chinese EV na Yun?
DeleteByd has been in batteries and car ventures for decades, byd has making its own batteries and already has established itself as affordable and reliable EV manufacturer
Delete.Xiaomi too late to venture into car manufacturing. Even in china EV's market already saturated by home grown china car brands.
So Xiaomi is comparable to evergrande EV ventures, weismenster, etc.?
Delete