Xiaomi, the renowned Chinese smartphone manufacturer, has made a bold entrance into the electric vehicle market with its debut offering. Boasting design approval from Chris Bangle, Porsche-like performance, and an impressive range, their mid-size sedan is set to launch with an exceptionally competitive starting price of just 215,900 yuan.
This move presents a compelling choice for consumers, priced over 30,000 yuan lower than the Tesla Model 3. Even more impressive is the SU7's minimum driving range of 700 km, surpassing the Tesla's 606 km range in China. Lei Jun, Xiaomi's CEO, proudly announced that their sedan outperformed the Model 3 in 90 percent of benchmark tests.
The SU7 measures 4997mm in length, 1963mm in width, and 1455mm in height, with a 3,000mm wheelbase, and will launch in three different variants.
The entry-level model, the Standard RWD version, priced at $29,900, features a 400V architecture, a 73.6 kWh battery, and is powered by a 295 hp and 400 Nm electric motor. It offers a CLTC driving range of 700 km and can charge up to 350 km in just 15 minutes.
Following this is the SU7 Pro, equipped with a similar 400V architecture but with a larger 94.3 kWh battery. It maintains the same 295 hp RWD motor as the Standard model but boasts an extended driving range of 830 km on the CLTC cycle, starting at 245,900 yuan.
At the top of the range is the SU7 Max, featuring an 800V architecture and a 101 kWh battery paired with dual electric motors producing 663 hp and 838 Nm of torque. This high-performance model can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 2.78 seconds, reaching a top speed of 265 km/h. It offers a maximum driving range of 800 km on the CLTC cycle and starts at $41,500.
Lei revealed that each vehicle will be sold at a loss, according to CNBC, although the exact extent of this loss remains undisclosed. Nevertheless, Xiaomi's strategy has proven successful in attracting buyer attention, with the company claiming to have received 50,000 orders within 27 minutes of opening sales.
Despite entering a fiercely competitive EV market in China, Xiaomi's SU7 launch drew the attention of CEOs from rival companies like Xpeng, Nio, and Li Auto, as reported by SCMP. Lei credited their support with helping Xiaomi navigate potential obstacles in bringing its first vehicle to market.
As part of Xiaomi's "Human x Car x Home" strategy, aimed at building an ecosystem of interconnected devices using its HyperOS operating system, the SU7 will be compatible with its smartphones. Additionally, it will support Apple CarPlay integration, allowing for seamless connectivity with iPads.
Xiaomi also unveiled a range of accessories for the SU7 at its launch, including smartphone holders, custom sun shades for the front window, and an in-car refrigerator, with some accessories included in the vehicle's purchase price.
The Chinese automaker announced that its driver-assist technology will be available on highways and in cities in China starting in August, surpassing Tesla's Autopilot, which is limited to highways in China, with Full Self-Driving (FSD) not yet released there. Deliveries of the Xiaomi SU7 are slated to commence in April, with production taking place at a fully automated factory capable of producing a car every 76 seconds.