Xiaomi, a well-known smartphone manufacturer, debuted its first electric car in China, the Xiaomi SU7. Two SU7 variants—one with Lidar and the other without—were displayed by Xiaomi. RWD and AWD are the two available powerplant configurations. Three models of the electric sedan—the SU7, SU7 Pro, and SU7 Max—will be available for purchase.
A Chinese government regulatory body has released the first pictures of the Xiaomi SU7 EV, showcasing the vehicle ahead of its formal public presentation. In addition to the pictures, a number of technical details are disclosed in the regulatory papers, including the car’s dimensions, weight, power output, maker, and launch-available versions.
What do we know about the Xiaomi SU7 EV?
The filing (found via CarNewsChina) states that Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co. (BAIC) will construct the vehicle instead of Xiaomi. Chinese automaker BAIC, which is owned by the government, will produce the SU7 under contract. This is confirmed by the news of today, which was first reported more than a year ago.
Beyond that, the Xiaomi SU7’s intended place in the automotive environment is becoming apparent. Though it has a faux-hatch trunk and a fastback roofline with a 118-inch wheelbase, the Xiaomi SU7’s packaging is most similar to that of the Tesla Model S, albeit with a somewhat longer wheelbase. That should come as no surprise considering how common long-wheelbase models of mid-size luxury sedans are in China, where this car is definitely aimed at. In terms of total length, the SU7 and Model S appear to be excellent points of comparison, with a difference of less than 30mm.
Although curb weights and power figures are available, the filings omitted information about range and battery capacity. The Xiaomi SU7 single-motor RWD version will weigh about 4,365 lbs and generate about 295 horsepower. The more expensive AWD dual-motor model produces 663 horsepower and weighs 4,861 pounds, which is probably due to both the additional motor and the larger battery.
It is known that the two vehicles’ battery chemistries differ; the premium trim has nickel manganese cobalt (NMC), while the less expensive car has a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack. Prior leaks revealed a 100-kWh battery and an 800-volt architecture, with the latter likely referring to the more expensive variant.
What can we understand from the published images?
Images from the regulatory file also show that certain Xiaomi SU7 trims will have a pretty large lidar array mounted on the roof of the vehicle, most likely for driver assistance and autonomy features. However, it’s unclear just how much autonomy the SU7 will be able to give. The SU7, SU7 Pro, and SU7 Max are the specific trims that are available at launch, and they make this car sound less like a luxury sedan and more like a smartphone. Naturally, there will also presumably be a Founders Edition subvariant (badging is shown in the images).
It’s unclear if Xiaomi intends to sell the SU7 outside of China given that the firm is a Chinese one and that the majority of its ecosystem of goods and services is targeted to Chinese consumers. Given that state-owned BAIC is manufacturing the automobile for Xiaomi, it is more likely that the vehicle will emerge sooner rather than later. According to reports, Xiaomi hopes to have the car accessible by early 2024, with production starting before the end of 2023.
