Xiaomi YU7: The tech giant’s aspirational electric SUV is here!
The Xiaomi YU7 has been conceived to take on the Tesla Model Y in all practical terms. With its compelling blend of elegant design, versatile performance, impressive range, and the advanced technology, the Chinese EV is set to be a formidable contender.
Xiaomi, the Chinese multi-national brand known for consumer electronics especially smartphones, is making significant strides in the EV sector. The company has just unveiled second electric car – the Xiaomi YU7 – a crossover SUV that is poised to make a striking impression in the Chinese market.
The brand is already among the top 10 EV companies in China, thanks to the impressive reception of its first EV, the SU7 electric sedan. The talk of the town is that the new Xiaomi YU7 is now considered as a serious threat to the best selling Tesla Model Y that rules over the segment since its launch in 2021.
Design wise, the Xiaomi YU7 shares an evolutionary design language with its sedan sibling. However, the SU7 asserts its own distinct and bold identity. The brand’s elegant styling cues are clearly embodied in the new car. It’s designed to be a harmonious blend of elegant styling, sophisticated lines, and a commanding road presence befitting a premium, new-generation SUV.
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It is very clear that the Xiaomi YU7 has been conceived to take on the Tesla Model Y in all practical terms. Interestingly, at the launch event, the company’s founder and CEO Lei Jun made a direct comparison of his new car with the “American” EV (although made locally in China!).
Wins over Tesla!
To start with, the car’s dimensions are slightly larger than the Tesla. The YU7 will be offered in three distinct variants – the Standard, Pro, and Max. The Standard YU7 YU7 is equipped with a single motor producing a respectable 320 PS. It offers a smooth and efficient driving experience, accelerating from 0 to 100 kmph in a brisk 5.88 seconds, targeting those prioritizing range and everyday usability.
The YU7 Pro steps up in the performance ladder, features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, boosting power output to 496 PS. This results in a significantly quicker 0-100 kmph acceleration time of 4.27 seconds, offering a more engaging and dynamic drive.
The flagship ‘Max’ variant, on the other hand, is a pure performance machine. It also employs a dual-motor setup but unleashes a staggering 690 PS (508 kW). This powerhouse can sprint from 0 to 100 kmph in an exhilarating 3.23 seconds, with a top speed of 253 kmph, placing it firmly in high-performance EV territory. Tesla’s top-spec ‘Y’ takes 4.3 seconds to hit 100 kmph from standstill.
In terms of the battery pack, the Xiaomi YU7 YU7 Standard and Pro variants will share a 96.3 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery pack. For the Standard RWD model, this enables an excellent CLTC range of 835 km, while the more powerful Pro AWD version offers a commendable 770 km on a single charge.
The top-tier YU7 Max variant will be equipped with a larger 101.7 kWh Lithium Ternary battery pack. This battery chemistry is typically chosen for its higher energy density, supporting the Max variant’s high-performance demands while still delivering a substantial CLTC range of 760 km.
Tech Forward
To put things in perspective, the Tesla Model Y have a CLTC driving range of 593 kms and 719 kms for single motor RWD and long-range AWD variants respectively. In fact, the Xiaomi YU7 claims the longest driving range among all electric SUVs in China.
This apart, the Tesla is said to take about 27 minutes to recharge from 0-80 percent SoC. The YU7, on the contrary, can offer a range of 620 kms in just 15 minutes of charging. The car is built on 800-volt high-voltage EV platform, along with a charging multiplier of up to 5.2 C. Moreover, the Xiaomi uses Nvidia Thor smart driving chip with a computing power of 700 TOPS, unlike any other EV in the local market!
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The Xiaomi YU7 will hit the Chinese roads in the month of July this year. According to a latest report by research firm TrendForce, the tech brand is currently ranks 8th among top EV brands, with a global market share of 2.8 percent, a feat achieved with just one model!
(With inputs from CNEVPOST.com)
