Xiaomi SU7 showcased in India: 5 things to know

It can be said that Xiaomi has developed its first-ever car in record time. The Chinese smartphone manufacturer announced its plans to foray into the car market in March 2021, and the EV went on sale earlier this year. We recently had a chance to see the car in India, and here’s all you need to know.

Xiaomi SU7 design

For this project, Xiaomi roped in Li Tianyuan, a former BMW designer famous for his work on the iX electric SUV. Another BMW connection worth mentioning is former BMW design head Chris Bangle, who was hired as a consultant on the project.

From the design, it is clear that Xiaomi has taken inspiration from other electric sedans like the Porsche Taycan and the Tesla Model S (even though this will rival the Model 3 internationally). The headlights are reminiscent of the McLaren 720S, and the tinted rear glass and adjustable rear spoiler help enhance its proportions. It rides on 19-inch alloy wheels and gets frameless doors. Xiaomi sells the SU7 in a variety of colours: Meteor Blue, Radiant Purple, Basalt Grey, Lava Orange, Pearl White and Diamond Black. 

Xiaomi SU7 features

As expected from a Chinese EV, the Xiaomi SU7 is loaded with features. Entering the car is via an NFC card (no key here). The steering wheel gets a heating function and the 7.1-inch flip-up instrument cluster greets you when the car is switched on. The front seats are electrically adjustable and come with ventilation and heating functions.

The massive 16.1-inch touchscreen infotainment screen is powered by Xiaomi’s Hyper OS, which provided a glitch-free experience when we used it. We didn't really get to fiddle around too much as the system language was set to Chinese. The overall quality of the cabin is pretty good, and the soft-close doors help up the premium quotient. 

The experience is a part of the brands Human x Car x Home ecosystem through which users can control smart home devices from their vehicle or mobile device. 

Xiaomi SU7 ADAS

An advantage that Xiaomi holds over traditional car companies is its expertise in the tech space. It uses one LIDAR (the camel-like hump above the windshield) and 11 high-definition cameras all over the car to allow for ADAS level 2 capabilities.

Xiaomi SU7 powertrain

The SU7 is available with multiple motor configurations, but the model showcased in India was the SU7 Max that has all-wheel-drive and two electric motors – induction at the front and asynchronous at the rear. The total power output stands at 673hp and 838Nm, which allows the EV to go from 0-100kph in 2.78 seconds. Its 101kWh NMC battery gives it a claimed range of 800km, as per the Chinese test cycle.

Xiaomi SU7 India launch and price

The Xiaomi SU7 is currently on sale only in China with prices ranging from 215,900 Yuan to 299,900 Yuan (Rs 25.4 lakh to Rs 35.3 lakh). Company officials disclosed that there are no plans to currently expand to other countries – at least for a few years – but it could come to India in the future. We were told that before expaning, Xiaomi wants to ensure that the product is solid – an approach that they followed with their smartphones, too.