Final week, smartphone maker turned EV producer Xiaomi confirmed off a prototype superfast model of its SU7 sedan, referred to as the SU7 Extremely. With 1,548 horsepower and a 0-60 time of lower than two seconds, the hypercar-rivaling tremendous sedan represents Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun’s aim to problem legacy automotive on their house turf. Particularly, the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Nonetheless, it appears just like the SU7 Extremely gained’t simply keep a one-off prototype; Xiaomi says {that a} manufacturing model of the SU7 Extremely will quickly be on Chinese language roads.
Xiaomi Plans to Develop Its EV Presence
Xiaomi plans to be one of many largest auto producers inside ten years. The SU7 sedan is just step one. There are plans for an SU7-based crossover and probably a lower-cost hatchback within the close to future.
In keeping with CarNewsChina, Jun introduced this week that the automotive will enter manufacturing within the first half of 2025, albeit with some alterations to maintain prices in examine. The complete carbon fiber physique has been dropped, however the automotive will nonetheless retain the Extremely’s up to date design, together with the large spoiler and huge haunches.
Different goodies, just like the tri-motor setup and racing-oriented battery pack, additionally will stay. The automotive shall be provided in two trims, common and monitor variations. Jun says the automotive shall be dearer than the usual SU7 however nonetheless inside attain.
Irrespective of the way you slice it, that is spectacular. Inside per week of the announcement, Xiaomi has created a tangible and plausible path to creating its halo automotive a actuality. By comparability, we’ve watched different producers overpromise and even cancel their EV sports activities automotive plans.
In October, Toyota teased a mid-engined (or mid-motor, extra particularly) referred to as the FT-Se, however manufacturing will not occur till at the least 2026. Tesla famously confirmed off what gave the impression to be an almost production-ready follow-up to the Roadster again in 2017, however it’s now 2024, and there’s no Roadster in any Tesla retailer. Elon Musk actually shot a prototype into area earlier than any buyer ever acquired the flexibility to purchase one in shops.
This isn’t the one automotive to go from idea to manufacturing intent inside a couple of weeks in that nation. Li Auto’s L6 PHEV crossover was technically made on the market a couple of days earlier than it debuted on the Beijing Auto Present. Equally, the Zeekr MIX prototype that debuted on the similar present, was lately unveiled in manufacturing intent type.
China strikes quick.
Xiaomi
I do query Xiaomi’s sanity, although. Though I’m not one to say no to extra energy, the concept of a 1,500-horsepower automotive capable of be bought by any particular person on the road is terrifying. There are already loads of movies on Chinese language social media of consumers unable to deal with the roughly 500 horsepower of the usual SU7 as they crash into partitions and different automobiles.
I shudder to consider the carnage a 1,500-horsepower model might trigger. The Tesla Mannequin S Plaid and Lucid Air Sapphire’s stratospheric pricing retains them from turning into too ubiquitous among the many public.
Anyway, Chinese language readers: when you purchase this factor, watch out the place you intention it.
