Xiaomi launches SU7 Ultra EV as world’s fastest 4-door car

Times have certainly changed in the auto industry. Europe and America were once centres of the industry, followed by Japan after the 1960s. But in the 21^st century, it is China where the latest and most advanced vehicles are originating from. Within a span of just 4 decades (since China opened up in the mid-1980s), its auto industry has quickly developed and advanced to the point where any of its automakers have already overtaken the established ones in the west and Japan.

Yesterday, Xiaomi – a 14-year old company better known for consumer electronics – launched the SU7 Ultra which qualifies the fastest 4-door car in production. And that’s not just sales talk but proven with the fastest lap time set at Germany’s Nurburgring track. A SU7 covered the 20.9-km course in 6 minutes 46.874 seconds which is a new record for a 4-door car on the Nurburgring.

“As a newcomer to the automotive industry, Xiaomi has shown great determination and courage by taking on the Nurburgring challenge with its first car,” said Lei Jun, founder of the company as well as its Chairman & CEO.

0 – 100 km/h in under 2 seconds
Priced in China at the equivalent of around US$114,000 (RM499,120 at today’s exchange rate), the fully electric hypercar is street-legal and also has the potential for track use. It has a triple-motor system and track-edition high-power battery with maximum output of 1,139 kW (1,548 ps)/1,770 Nm to give a 0 to 100 km/h capability said to be within 1.98 seconds and a top speed of 350 km/h.

The SU7 Ultra’s triple e-motor system consists of two V8s motors and one V6s motor. The HyperEngine motors can spin at up to 27,200 rpm and 21,000 rpm, respectively. Some 242 patents have been filed by Xiaomi for its electric motors and electric power control units.

The hypercar’s design is evolved from the SU7 Max with an aerodynamic kit  that increases the dimensions for an extended, lower profile and a more aggressive stance.  The dimensions are 5115 mm in length, 1970 mm in width, 1465 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3000 mm. That makes it a slightly larger car than the Porsche Taycan which it challenges.

At the rear, a fixed carbonfibre wing has been added, with a span of 1560 mm and a chord length of 240 mm. This generates significant downforce of up to 285 kgs which is important for stability when travelling at the very high speeds the SU7 Ultra can reach.

Sportscar interior
As would be expected, the interior has a feel of a sportscar with seats offering enhanced active side bolster support, providing faster response and a wider support area for better body stability during hard driving. The steering wheel has a racing-style flat top and bottom design, made with carbonfibre and wrapped in Alcantara microfiber fabric for a secure grip. A yellow centre marker at the 12 o’clock position aids directional control during high-speed manoeuvres.

Drawing on Xiaomi’s leadership in the electronics field, the cockpit has an advanced user interface (UI) to give the driver a peak sensory experience. To match its peak performance and chassis system, there is a unique visual and auditory experience with exclusive apps designed for use on racetracks.

The UI on the central control screen, instrument panel, and HUD feature a cockpit-exclusive design that enhances the sporty atmosphere. While on the move, the driver can choose from 3 Electric Sport Sound profiles: Ultra Electric, Ultra Sonic, and Ultra Pulse, along with a 40W external speaker for enhanced sound projection.

Click here to watch the record-setting run at Nurburgring

Deliveries start in March 2025
Xiaomi has been delivering over 10,000 cars (of other models) a month since June this year and expected to reach a total of 120,000 SU7s by year-end. Orders are now being taken for the flagship Ultra version (over 3,500 received within 10 minutes of the launch in Beijing) with the first customers getting their hypercars in March 2025.

With the SU7 EV, Xiaomi is now also a carmaker