Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley, recently revealed he’s been driving a Chinese electric car, the Xiaomi SU7, for six months and expressed reluctance to give it up. This sedan is the first production model from Xiaomi, a well-known Chinese electronics brand, marking its entry into the automotive industry. Xiaomi is already moving forward with a high-performance variant, the SU7 Ultra, which has impressed auto enthusiasts by completing a Nürburgring lap in an impressive 6:46.87. Though this time doesn’t qualify for an official production-car record, it positions Xiaomi as a serious contender in high-performance electric vehicles.
The SU7 Ultra prototype set new benchmarks by beating official Nürburgring lap times for production four-door and electric cars. In a released video, the prototype showcased its power and speed, even though it appeared to experience a drop in power around the 4:15-minute mark. Despite this minor issue, the vehicle still managed a noteworthy lap time, sparking widespread attention and demonstrating Xiaomi’s potential to push boundaries in the electric vehicle market.
Although the SU7 Ultra’s lap wasn’t considered an official record, clocking in under seven minutes at the Nürburgring is impressive for any vehicle, especially for an electric prototype. Xiaomi hasn’t made an official attempt yet, as the SU7 Ultra used for this lap was a prototype with an extremely stripped-down interior, suggesting further weight-saving measures compared to the eventual production model. This setup might give the prototype an edge in performance, but it also hints at what Xiaomi could achieve when the final production version is ready.
The production SU7 Ultra is anticipated to have remarkable specs, including a top speed of 217 mph and an output of 1527 horsepower, along with aerodynamics capable of producing 628 pounds of downforce. These features suggest it could be competitive in breaking the seven-minute mark for production cars on the Nürburgring. Whether the production model will live up to the performance of the prototype remains to be seen, but Xiaomi’s ambitious engineering hints at impressive capabilities.
Xiaomi’s entry into the automotive world with the SU7 and SU7 Ultra showcases its intent to blend high-tech expertise with automotive performance. With a strong debut and plans for future record attempts, Xiaomi is emerging as a competitor to established electric car makers. Farley’s endorsement, paired with the impressive Nürburgring lap time, reflects the potential shift in global car markets, where tech companies are increasingly shaping the future of electric vehicles.