Xiaomi’s first electric vehicle (EV), the SU7, has been revealed through a regulatory filing by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The EV, set to be available in both single and dual-motor versions, features dimensions larger than Tesla’s Model 3 and Nio’s ET5.
The filing includes two product models, BJ7000MBEVA1 (dual-motor) and BJ7000MBEVR2 (single-motor), produced by BAIC Off-road Vehicle, a division of BAIC Group. Although Xiaomi has acquired BAIC’s car production qualification, the actual production will reportedly take place in Xiaomi’s own factory.
The Xiaomi SU7 measures 4,997 mm in length, 1,963 mm in width, and 1,455 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,000 mm, surpassing the dimensions of Tesla’s Model 3 and Nio’s ET5. The sedan supports a top speed of 210 kilometers per hour.
The single-motor version, SU7, weighs 1,980 kg, while the dual-motor versions, SU7 Pro and SU7 Max, weigh 2,205 kg. The SU7 is powered by lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries from BYD’s battery division FinDreams, while the SU7 Pro and SU7 Max use Li-ion ternary batteries from CATL.
The electric motor for the single-motor version has a peak power of 220 kW, supplied by United Automotive Electronic Systems, a joint venture of Bosch in China. The dual-motor versions are powered by motors with peak power of 220 kW and 275 kW, supplied by Suzhou Inovance Automotive in China. Optional LiDAR is available on the SU7, similar to Nio’s NT 2.0-based models, and the Pro and Max versions come with an active rear wing.
Xiaomi entered the automotive industry in March 2021, investing RMB 10 billion yuan ($1.38 billion) in its automotive business, with a projected total investment of $10 billion over the next decade. While mass production is set to begin in December, the official launch of the SU7 is expected in February 2024, with shipments estimated at 50,000 to 60,000 units.
The key features of the SU7 include autonomous driving, software ecosystem, 800 V fast charging, and competitive powertrain specifications, with an estimated price below RMB 300,000 (~$41 425) according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The yet-to-be-announced SU7 adds pressure to Apple, rumored to have been working on an autonomous vehicle since 2014, codenamed “Project Titan.” Despite internal challenges, Apple’s car project has shifted over the years, with a focus on a semi-autonomous self-driving vehicle, deviating from the initial goal of a fully autonomous design without a steering wheel or pedals.
Let’s hope that Xiaomi’s first EV announcement will light a fire in Cupertino so that the rumored car can finally see the light of day. We cannot wait to see what will happen in the next few months!
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