Hardcore Xiaomi SU7 might problem Porsche Taycan ‘Ring time

• A Xiaomi SU7 prototype has been testing on the Nürburgring
• The prototype is likely to be a brand new track-focused iteration of the Chinese language Porsche Taycan competitor
• Xiaomi is likely to be trying to deal with the Porsche Taycan’s ‘Ring lap time

Smartphone big Xiaomi got here out with its first automobile late final 12 months within the type of the SU7, a smooth electrical sedan that shares a passing resemblance to the Porsche Taycan.

However fairly than goal low for its first automotive endeavor, Xiaomi appears to be like to be aiming proper for the highest.

Engineers from the Chinese language firm have been noticed testing on the Nürburgring a prototype for what’s considered a brand new track-focused model of the SU7, and the check automobile appears to be like prefer it has what it takes to maintain up with the Taycan on the racetrack.

Video footage from Automotive Spy Media reveals the hardcore SU7 touring very quick by way of a number of the Nürburgring’s sectors. This means the model being examined might pack extra horsepower than the flagship 664-hp grade introduced on the SU7’s launch.

The prototype can be fitted with a hard and fast rear wing, whereas beforehand the SU7 has solely been proven with a retractable rear wing.

The flagship Taycan Turbo GT launched for 2025, which delivers as much as 1,092 hp, additionally has a hard and fast rear wing, and with its accessible Weissach bundle, which occurs to take away the rear seats, the automobile managed to lap the ‘Ring in a time of solely 7:07.55. That is painfully near the 7:05:298 lap file for manufacturing EVs on the ‘Ring set by the Rimac Nevera hypercar.

The largest battery provided within the SU7 is a 101-kwh unit, although Xiaomi has indicated it plans to supply greater battery choices. These can be roughly 132 and 150 kwh in capability, and it is attainable certainly one of these can be fitted to the prototype.

The common SU7 is presently accessible in China solely, the place it’s priced from about $30,000, or lower than what a Tesla Mannequin 3 retails for in that market. That is for a single-motor rear-wheel-drive grade with 295 hp. Upgrading to the dual-motor all-wheel-drive grade with 664 hp prices roughly $41,500. Given the sharp pricing, which Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun informed CNBC in a March interview meant the corporate was shedding cash on every instance bought, the entire allocation for 2024 was gone in about 24 hours after the beginning of gross sales.