That little grudge the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan have had going on for the past few years takes a new twist for 2024. The twist is called the Xiaomi SU7 and it’s the first ever from a company better known for its smartphones, but which has some seriously ambitious plans in the automotive sector.
You might recall seeing us cover the SU7 in November when we got our first proper look at the electric sedan along with a few basic tech details thanks to an info drop by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). But today Xiaomi officially unveiled the SU7, revealing everything from its power lineup and driving range to the clamping force of the casting machine used to build it – 2 million pounds (9,100 tonnes), since you asked.
Related: Xiaomi’s EV Could Also Be Offered With A 1.5-Liter Range-Extender
We now know, for instance, that at 196.7 inches (4,997 mm) long, and riding on a 118.1-inch (3,000 mm) wheelbase, the SU7 is fractionally larger than both of its key rivals and incredibly slippery, its McLaren-style nose giving a drag co-efficient of only 0.195. The Modena architecture is compatible with both 400- and 800-volt electrics and there are multiple drive configurations and power outputs available from motors that are cheekily (and confusingly) named V6, V6s, and V8s.
Base V6 cars get a single motor and send 295 hp (299 PS / 220 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque to their rear wheels to push you to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.28 seconds. The entry-level model is limited to 400-volt electrics, so doesn’t charge as quickly as its more expensive brothers, but it does still offer a useful 415 miles (668 km) of electric range from a 73.6 kWh battery.
Top-dog V8s cars, on the other hand, are dual-motor affairs that generate 664 hp (673 PS / 495 kW), can rocket from zero to 62 mph in 2.78 seconds and top out at a Taycan-beating 165 mph (265 kmh). They’re also capable of 497 miles (800 km) of driving range from a full charge of their 101 kWh batteries, which is more than a Model S can manage. Speedy 800-volt charging tech means you can add 137 miles (220 km) of range in 5 minutes, or 242 miles (390 km) in 10 minutes when hooked up to a suitably rapid station.
Unsurprisingly, given Xiaomi’s background, the SU7 majors in tech, both in terms of driver assistance and infotainment, which is handled by a 16.1-inch central touchscreen. The autonomous package consists of lidar, cameras, and radar, that offer hands-off freeway driving and auto-parking initially but could expand the self-driving element to city streets once tests have been carried out in 2024.
The one thing Xiaomi didn’t precisely reveal is the cost, though CEO Lei Jun did admit it won’t be cheap, not that you’d expect any rival for a Porsche Taycan to be inexpensive. We should find out prices in the next few months, along with details about which countries outside of China will get their hands on the SU7. Sadly, it seems that the U.S. won’t be among them.