Xiaomi, the prominent smartphone manufacturer, has officially entered the automotive industry with the launch of its inaugural vehicle, the Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan. The electric vehicle (EV) is equipped with an 875 V charging system and a 101 kWh battery featuring CATL cells, offering an impressive maximum range of 800 km. The all-wheel-drive (AWD) variant showcases a robust power of 475 kW, facilitating a rapid 0-100 km/h acceleration in 2.78 seconds and reaching a top speed of 265 km/h.
The inception of Xiaomi’s venture into car manufacturing was declared nearly three years ago, on March 30, 2021, during a public speech by Lei Jun, the company’s CEO and founder. In this announcement, Xiaomi expressed its commitment to invest 10 billion yuan (1.4 billion USD) in the car manufacturing business.
The recent conference marking the official launch of the Xiaomi SU7 took place 1003 days after the initial announcement. Xiaomi had previously outlined its plan for the mass production of the SU7 to commence in the first half of 2024. In late 2023, leaked spy shots and videos of the SU7 during testing surfaced online, and in November, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) revealed that Xiaomi had applied for a sales license in China, disclosing the key specifications of the car.
Today, Xiaomi has unveiled two variants of their inaugural electric vehicle: the SU7 and SU7 Max. The base model, SU7, operates as a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) vehicle, featuring Xiaomi’s in-house developed V6 engine with a maximum power of 220 kW and 400 Nm torque. It achieves a 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.28 seconds and incorporates a 73.6 kWh capacity battery, offering a 668 km range based on the CLTC (China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle) standard.
On the other hand, the performance-oriented SU7 Max is an all-wheel-drive (AWD) model equipped with dual motors, boasting a maximum output of 425 kW and 838 Nm torque. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in an impressive 2.78 seconds, attaining a top speed of 265 km/h. Notably, the EV can achieve 0-200 km/h in 10.67 seconds. The CATL’s Qilin NMC battery has a substantial capacity of 101 kWh, providing an extensive 800 km range based on the CLTC standard.
The battery exhibits remarkable fast-charging capabilities, surpassing those of the Tesla Model S Plaid. In just 10 minutes, the battery can recharge 390 km. Within 5 minutes, the SU7 can add 220 km, and in 15 minutes, it can achieve an additional 510 km of range.
Xiaomi claims that the SU7 boasts impressive aerodynamics, featuring a low drag coefficient of only 0.195 Cd, which is the most minimal among production vehicles. Lei Jun emphasized that the lidar, positioned on the windshield’s top, drew inspiration from the sleek design of a pebble. It’s worth noting that the version showcased in the video achieving 0.195 Cd does not include lidar.
Built on Xiaomi’s Modena platform, the SU7 surpasses the length of the Porsche Taycan, measuring at 4997/1963/1455 mm (L/W/H), with a wheelbase of 3000 mm. The vehicle incorporates a substantial 105-litre frunk and a 517-litre boot space.
The SU7’s design is credited to the team led by Li Tianyuan, Xiaomi’s Head of Design, who transitioned from BMW, where he played a key role in projects such as the BMW i Vision Circular concept, BMW iX, and the new 7 series. The exterior design is attributed to James Qiu, who joined Xiaomi from Mercedes-Benz, where he was responsible for the Vision EQXX design.
The vehicle’s interior features a 16.1″ central control screen with 3k resolution, a 7.1″ instrument panel for the driver, and two screens in the rear for passengers, identified as Xiaomi tablets named Mi Pads. Compatibility with the Apple iPad is also highlighted. Navigation can be displayed on a 56″ HUD. Powering the cockpit operation system, HyperOS is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295. The automated driving system (ADAS), Xiaomi Pilot, is driven by two Nvidia Orin-X chips with an impressive 508 TOPs computing power.
Xiaomi Pilot and HyperOS
The Xiaomi Pilot ADAS is set to receive information from a single lidar, 3 millimeter-wave radars, 11 HD cameras, and 12 ultrasonic radars. This autonomous driving system encompasses features like highway driving, self-parking, and car summoning. By the end of 2024, city driving capabilities will be accessible in over 100 cities in China.
Before evolving into one of the leading consumer electronics companies, Xiaomi originated as a software developer specializing in a modified Android ROM named MIUI. HyperOS is now poised to replace MIUI, serving as the operating system for a wide range of gadgets within the Xiaomi ecosystem, including cars.
This transition implies an unparalleled connectivity and integration experience. Xiaomi assures that the SU7 will seamlessly mirror your phone or tablet and effortlessly sync with Mi Watch, Mi Band, and Mi Home devices such as cameras and the Mi Robot Vacuum cleaner.
While optimal connectivity is expected with Xiaomi-manufactured gadgets, Lei Jun asserts that even users with Apple products will enjoy an excellent experience with Xiaomi cars.
