Xiaomi’s first EV doesn’t just look like the Porsche Taycan. It moves like it too.
The Chinese electronics giant has just unveiled a high-performance version of the SU7 called the Ultra, according to Motor Authority. And, in an attempt to show off the sporty sedan’s capabilities, Xiaomi says it’ll use the EV to beat the Taycan Turbo GT’s best lap time at the notorious Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Xiaomi may be best known for its smartphones, but earlier this year it pulled back the curtain on its first electric car, the SU7, or Speed Ultra 7. The car’s somewhat generic design—which calls to mind elements of the Taycan and other EVs, like the Tesla Model 3—may leave something to be desired, but its multiple powertrain options are mighty impressive. This is especially true of the setup in the all-wheel drive SU7 Max which pumps out 664 hp and 618 ft lbs of torque.
Xiaomi SU7 Ultra
Xiaomi/X
As impressive as the Max may be, it’s got nothing on the SU7 Ultra (yes, its full name is the Speed Ultra 7 Ultra). Xiaomi has revealed that the range-topping variant, which is still in development, will feature a tri-motor powertrain that produces an absolutely ridiculous 1,517 horses. Power isn’t all the variant has to offer, though. It also will wear an aggressive aero package that will produce over 4,700 pounds of downforce. The kit utilizes tons of carbon-fiber elements, helping cut the vehicle’s weight by an unbelievable 1,100 pounds. Thanks to all this, you end up with an EV that Xiaomi claims can hit 62 mph in just 2.8 seconds and tops out at 217 mph.
Though there’s still work to do, Xiaomi seems pretty confident the EV is close to finished. It plans to take SU7 Ultra to the Nürburgring in October for testing. It hopes to break the electric sedan lap record of 7:07.55 minutes that was set by a “pre-series” Taycan Turbo GT earlier this year. It should be noted that the current holder wasn’t a completely stock example, since its rear seat was removed for its record-setting run. The company also has its eye on the Rimac Nevera’s overall EV record of 7:05:298 minutes.
It’s unclear when exactly the SU7 Ultra will go on sale. The base model, which is currently exclusively sold in China, only went on sale earlier this year with a starting price of around $30,000. Whenever the SU7 Ultra arrives, expect to cost significantly more than that.
