The surprise is total: Xiaomi, a name that we associate with smartphones and connected objects, has just shaken up the automotive world by breaking records on the legendary Nürburgring circuit in Germany. On October 28, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, prototype of the brand’s first electric sedan, was smashed the times of the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S Plaid. If this success will only speak to purists, China is more than ever conquering the global automobile market.
When Xiaomi goes in SU7 at the Nürburgring
Imagine: a smartphone manufacturer that beats the automotive giants in less than 7 minutes on the Nordschleife, the northern loop of the Nürburgring. Until now, the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S Plaid were competing for the circuit benchmark. But the prototype of the Xiaomi SU7 exploded all the scores with a time of 6 minutes and 46 seconds, dethroning the Taycan (7 minutes and 7 seconds), which itself had surpassed Tesla’s record (7 minutes and 25 seconds).
With a power of 1,548 horsepower and a 0 to 100 km/h time of 1.97 seconds, this prototype of the SU7 Ultra has nothing to envy of the sharpest thermal supercars. Xiaomi didn’t do things by halves: 3 electric motors, optimized aerodynamics and a lighter interior to gain speed. This feat shows that Xiaomi has not only designed a powerful sedan, but a car capable of tackling the most demanding circuits in the world.
The record on video:
Equipped with a 150 kWh CATL battery, this version can be recharged in less than 10 minutesan industry record. For Xiaomi, this model is not just a technology showcase: it reflects the manufacturer’s ambitions in the electric car market, with marketing planned for next year. The production model should retain this three-motor architecture, guaranteeing high-level performance.
Success already seems to be there. When it launches in China in April 2024, the Xiaomi SU7 recorded 100,000 reservations in 48 hours. The arrival of this model, still unexpected a few years ago, is a clear signal: Xiaomi intends to establish itself in the automotive world with bold innovations.
