Xiaomi has just presented the different technologies that will equip its first electric car, a sedan called SU7, and the least we can say is that Tesla and other car manufacturers have something to worry about.
During a conference dedicated to the technologies of its first SU7 electric car, Xiaomi lifted the veil on part of the vehicle’s technical specifications. These are enough to make other electric cars tremble, since the Xiaomi SU7 promises to be much more powerful than its competitors.
Xiaomi has set about developing its own technologies for 5 major aspects of its vehicle: the engine, the battery, assembly, autonomous driving and on-board software. If we are to believe the various figures announced by the company, the Xiaomi SU7 will be a real technological gem. With it, Xiaomi hopes become one of the 5 largest automobile manufacturers worldwide within 15 to 20 years.
The Xiaomi SU7’s engine is more powerful than that of the Tesla Model S Plaid
Xiaomi first presented the motors that will power its electric sedan. Named HyperEngine V6 and V6s, these power monsters reach no less than 21,000 revolutions per minute, and offer a power of 6.78 kW/kg. They then do better than that of the Tesla Model S Plaid, at 20,000 revolutions per minute for 6.22 kW/kg or that of the Taycan Turbo S at 16,0000 revolutions per minute for 5.29 kW/kg.
Better yet, Xiaomi is already announcing that a version Even faster HyperEngine V8 will arrive in 2025 and reach 27,200 rpm for no less than 10.14 kW/kg, which is an industry record. The Chinese manufacturer does not intend to stop there, and promises that it is even working on a revolutionary motor with a carbon fiber laser winding process, which allows it to reach 35,000 rpm.
The Xiaomi SU7 uses a new type of battery
Xiaomi also talked about the battery that will be used in the car. The company would have developed its own CTB (Cell-to-Body) technologywhich integrates the battery into the vehicle body, significantly improves the rigidity of the structure, eliminates the floor and thus reduces the height for a more spacious interior.
Xiaomi’s 800V silicon carbide high-voltage platform offers a maximum voltage of 871V, et the battery displays a record volume efficiency of 77.8%. The company also boasts that battery safety follows the world’s most rigorous safety standards in the event of thermal failure, with the highest heat dissipation and insulation capabilities in the industry. It also has a high-efficiency dual-mode heat pump system which allows it to operate in good conditions even when the outside temperature reaches -20 degrees.
Regarding autonomy, the 101 kWh battery promises 800 km range on a single charge. Recharging will recover 220 km of autonomy in just 5 minutes, 310 km in 10 minutes and 510 km in 15 minutes.
Xiaomi takes the same approach as Tesla to manufacturing the SU7
Tesla is known for being one of the only manufacturers in the world to use a high-pressure casting method with gigantic presses, which can create aluminum parts such as the chassis of an entire car. It has the advantage of greatly reducing production costs and simplifying the manufacturing process, and it seems that Xiaomi will use a similar technique for its car.
The manufacturer announces that it has unveiled a giant die-casting machine, as well as a unique material called Xiaomi Titan Alloy. THE number of pieces would thus be reduced from 72 to just one. Xiaomi announces 840 fewer joints, a weight 17% lower than traditional methods, a durability of more than 2 million kilometers and a noise level lowered by 2 dB.
The architecture used for the car was called “Moderna”, and Xiaomi reveals that the car was designed by former designers from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. According to E-NCAP, the car is rated 5 stars, and therefore promises to be one of the safest in the industry.
Autonomous driving is coming thanks to Xiaomi Pilot
Xiaomi has developed its own autonomous driving software, called Xiaomi Pilot. The latter will be based on data collected by high-definition cameras, a lidar and a millimeter wave radar, an ultrasonic radar. This information will then be processed by the company’s own Orin X chip as well as a Snapdragon 8295, a processor boasting 3.1 TFLOPS of power.
The self-driving feature will generate a 3D driving visualization on the car’s screens, similar to Tesla’s. Xiaomi has revealed several videos where we can see the SU7 drive on the streets without any human intervention. The manufacturer also showed that the car was capable of parking alone in the tightest parking lots.
The Xiaomi SU7 will use HyperOS, like on smartphones
As we learned a few months ago, Xiaomi will use its new HyperOS operating system in its car, the same one found on the latest Xiaomi 14 smartphones. Thanks to this, Xiaomi intends to offer a seamless interactive experience, similar to that of a mobile device. The most surprising thing is that the car is also compatible with Apple CarPlay and AirPlay.
Moreover, the image shared by Xiaomi allows us to have a first glimpse of the vehicle’s interior. We find a large 16.1-inch screen for the infotainment system, which is complemented by a smaller screen behind the steering wheel. Like Volkswagen, Xiaomi seems to have decided to keep a few physical buttons rather than going 100% digital, which should please some drivers.
We can also see what appears to be leather on the dashboardA 22.5W integrated wireless charger as well as a system of56-inch head-up display on the windshield with navigation-related information. Note also that rear passengers will be able to benefit from 2 additional large screens on each seat.
The Xiaomi SU7 is more aerodynamic than the Tesla Model S Plaid
Xiaomi also announced that it had paid a lot of attention to the aerodynamics of its vehicle, optimizing every aspect of the vehicle, for example by adopting rimless mirrors or a glass roof. The car’s drag coefficient is said to be just 0.195, the lowest in the worldwhich is less than the 0.208 of the Tesla Model S Plaid.
Xiaomi announces that its car can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.78 secondsfrom 0 to 200 km/h in 10.67 seconds and the maximum speed will be 265 km/h. It is also capable of making a U-turn in a space of only 5.7 meters, and stopping in 33.3 meters at a speed of 100 km/h, less than the Porsche Taycan.
Dimensions and colors of the Xiaomi SU7
We now know that the Xiaomi SU7 measures 4997 mm in length, 1963 mm in width, 1440 mm in height with a wheelbase of 3000 mm. It will benefit from a huge 105-liter front trunk and 25 Dolby Atmos speakers. The car will be available in several colors: Aqua Blue, Mineral Gray and Verdant Green. The interior can be personalized in gray, red or black.
Two versions of the car will be available: the SU7 and the SU7 Max. The characteristics of each are very different, you can find a summary in the image below.
Xiaomi only revealed the technologies present on board its vehicles during this conference, so we do not yet know anything about its price or availability. The manufacturer should lift the veil on the rest of the technical sheet in the coming weeks, since the car is expected on the market from the beginning of next year.