Xiaomi goes wild with 1,526bhp version of its debut SU7 electric vehicle and it's heading to the Nrburgring to topple records
Date:
Mon, 22 Jul 2024 15:23:03 +0000
Description:
Xiaomi has taken the wraps off its race-ready SU7 Ultra prototype, which will be taking to the Nrburgring later this year in an attempt to break some EV records.
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Xiaomi surprised the world when it revealed its debut EV earlier this year, claiming that it had notched up over 75,000 sales within the first 28 days, making it one of the most hyped cars in China (and outside) of 2024.
Now, the tech company hopes to hog the headlines once again with the reveal
of a tri-motor prototype that could go on to become one of the fastest electric vehicles on sale... if it ever goes on sale, that is.
Currently, the standard SU7 model is rear-wheel drive and comes fitted with a 74kWh battery thats capable of around 434-miles on a single charge. It can accelerate from 0-62mph in a respectable 5.3 seconds.
Theres also a Max version on sale in China with a larger 101kWh battery, twin motors and a 0-62mph time thats pegged at 2.8 seconds. To achieve almost double the horsepower of the Max, Xiaomi has fitted the SU7 Ultra with three motors.
Two of those are larger, re-worked versions of its existing tech, and are now dubbed V8S, while one of the smaller, original V6S units is also in place.
There is no official word on battery packs, but it is suggested it draws energy from the same 101kWh unit as the Max. The result is a race-ready vehicle that develops some 1,526bhp and can accelerate on to a top speed of 217mph.
Clearly designed for the track, Xiaomi says the SU7 Ultra receives six-piston AP Racing calipers and huge ventilated discs that, when coupled with the beefed-up regenerative braking, provide up up to 2.36G of stopping power. (Image credit: Xiaomi)
There are also the tell-tale bodywork additions, including wider wheel
arches, an enormous rear wing (for downforce) and a much lower ride height
for improved handling and aerodynamics.
Slides revealed by the brand state that it is targeting a weight of 1,900kg, which it says will be lighter than a Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and a Tesla
Model S Plaid, two high performance EVs that it is clearly benchmarking against.
Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun posted on X that the SU7 Ultra prototype will be taking on the iconic Nrburgring Nordschleife later this year, where it is assumed the company will attempt to topple records set by the aforementioned Taycan Turbo GT. Prototype or the real deal? (Image credit: Xiaomi)
The Xiaomi SU7 is somewhat of an electric vehicle bargain in its domestic market, costing 215,900 yuan (or around $30,500 / 23,000 / AU$45,000) for the standard version when it originally went on sale earlier this year.
Designed to take on the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S, the SU7 has been a hit according to its maker, but there have been no suggestions to date that
it will expand its operations outside of China.
The fact the company is taking to one of Europes most infamous race circuits with a high-performance halo model could signal its intentions to try and rival some of the most advanced western EV makers.
With that could also be the suggestion that it plans to capture the attention of European buyers and, buoyed by the recent European sales successes of fellow Chinese stablemate BYD, attempt to crack a new market. You might also like Porsche unveils the new Taycan Turbo GT - the most powerful production Porsche to date Xiaomi's first electric car already has a six-month waiting list in China The Xiaomi SU7 gives us our best look at what the Apple Car could have been
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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/xiaomi-goes-wi ld-with-1526bhp-version-of-its-debut-su7-electric-vehicle-and-its-heading-to-t he-nurburgring-to-topple-records
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