Xiaomi, a Chinese smartphone giant, has entered the electric vehicle market with its first car, the SU7. The SU7 is a sleek and powerful sedan that aims to compete with the likes of Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan. It boasts impressive features such as an 800 km range, a 2.78-second 0-100 km/h acceleration, and a lidar-based autonomous driving system. But how does it compare with its rivals in terms of performance, price, and reliability? And what are the challenges and opportunities for Xiaomi in the global EV market? Here is what you need to know about the Xiaomi SU7.
Performance and Specifications
The Xiaomi SU7 electric car is based on the BAIC Arcfox Alpha S platform, which is also used by the Chinese state-owned carmaker BAIC for its own EVs. Xiaomi has partnered with BAIC to produce the SU7 at its factory in Beijing, where it also makes Mercedes-Benz cars under a joint venture. The SU7 will be available in three versions: the base model, the Pro, and the Max. The base model will have a single rear motor with 295 hp and a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack from BYD. The Pro and the Max will have dual motors with a combined output of 663 hp and a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery pack from CATL.
The battery capacity and range are not yet disclosed, but previous leaks suggested an 800-volt architecture and a 100 kWh battery for the higher-end models. The SU7 will also have a 19- or 20-inch wheel option, an active rear wing, and an electronic toll collection (ETC) system.
One of the most distinctive features of the SU7 is the lidar array on the roof, which is used for the car’s autonomous driving system. Lidar is a laser-based sensor that can create a 3D map of the surroundings and detect obstacles and traffic. The SU7 will have two interior color options, with or without lidar. The lidar-equipped models will have a camera on the B-pillar for face recognition unlocking. The SU7’s in-car system will be powered by Xiaomi’s HyperOS, an operating system that can also run on smartphones and other devices. The SU7 will have a large touchscreen display on the dashboard and a digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel.
The SU7’s performance figures are impressive, especially for the dual-motor versions. The SU7 Max can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.78 seconds, which is faster than the Tesla Model S Plaid (1.99 seconds) and the Porsche Taycan Turbo S (2.8 seconds). The SU7 Max can also reach a top speed of 265 km/h, which is comparable to the Tesla Model S Plaid (320 km/h) and the Porsche Taycan Turbo S (260 km/h). The SU7’s range is expected to be around 800 km, which is higher than the Tesla Model S Long Range (663 km) and the Porsche Taycan Turbo S (412 km).