Chinese tech giant Xiaomi, renowned as the world’s third-largest smartphone maker, has ventured into the electric vehicle market with the unveiling of its first electric car series, the SU7. Announced on Thursday, the SU7 series begins at a competitive price of 215,900 yuan (nearly $30,000), positioning it as a formidable contender in the rapidly expanding EV sector.
During the keynote speech, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun highlighted the SU7’s impressive performance credentials. He confidently stated that the base model surpasses Tesla’s Model 3 in 90% of performance parameters. Furthermore, Lei positioned the top-tier SU7 Max as a rival to the Porsche Taycan Turbo, emphasizing Xiaomi’s ambition to compete with established luxury brands.
Battery technology and smart integration were central themes of the presentation. The SU7 boasts a minimum range of 700 kilometers, offering drivers substantial travel distances on a single charge. Lei described it as providing “the best driving experience under 500,000 yuan.” All models in the SU7 lineup—the Basic, Pro, and Max—feature advanced fast-charging capabilities, enabling the vehicle to gain 138 km of range in just five minutes and 350 km in fifteen minutes.
Leveraging Xiaomi’s extensive ecosystem, the SU7 seamlessly connects with the company’s smart home appliances. Owners of Xiaomi smartphones can link their devices to the car effortlessly through their Xiaomi account, enhancing the user experience with integrated technology. Recognizing the prevalence of Apple devices, Lei assured that the SU7 would also offer compatibility with iPhones.
In a demonstration of cross-product synergy, Xiaomi revealed five new color options for its Xiaomi 14 smartphone, mirroring the color palette available for the SU7 series. This move underscores the company’s strategy to create a cohesive brand experience across its product lines.
The SU7’s safety features were also showcased, particularly its automatic emergency braking (AEB) system. A video demonstration highlighted the car’s ability to autonomously halt from speeds of up to 135 kilometers per hour to prevent collisions, underscoring Xiaomi’s commitment to driver and passenger safety.
Pre-orders for the SU7 are now open on the Chinese mainland, with deliveries scheduled to commence in April. Pricing ranges from 215,900 yuan for the base model to 299,900 yuan (over $40,000) for the SU7 Max, offering consumers a variety of options to suit different preferences and budgets.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
