Xiaomi smartphone brand reveals its first SUV, a Ferrari Purosangue copycat
12/09/2024 08:37 PM
After taking inspiration from Porsche in its first model, the SU7 sedan, Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has seemingly borrowed from Ferrari for its second car and first high-rider.
Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi has followed its smash-hit electric sedan with an SUV, the YU7, due in showrooms in its home market mid-next year.
There is more than a hint of the Ferrari Purosangue in the rear portion of the YU7’s design, as well as a front end with McLaren-like headlights shared with its sedan sibling, the SU7, itself very similar to a Porsche Taycan.
Xiaomi – the world’s third-largest smartphone manufacturer – has indicated it will only sell its cars in China for two to three years due to overwhelming demand at home, before considering exports.
MORE: Australia years away for smartphone maker's first electric car
More than 100,000 Xiaomi SU7 sedans have already been delivered in China this year, Car News China reports – although most have been sold at a hefty loss.
The YU7 broke cover in images and specifications published by Chinese motor-vehicle regulators, shortly before official images were posted – months before its June or July 2025 launch, to allow the company to test the car without camouflage.
Measuring 4999mm long, 1996mm wide and 1600mm tall on a 3000mm wheelbase, the YU7 shares the SU7’s footprint and underpinnings but is taller for more interior space and a higher driving position.
MORE: Ford CEO drives Chinese electric car for six months 'and I don't want to give it up'
Chinese government documents list it with dual electric motors developing 220kW front and 288kW rear, for a quoted power output of 508kW – claimed to enable a top speed of 253km/h.
It is slightly more power than an equivalent SU7 Max (220kW front and 275kW rear, for 495kW combined), with the SUV said to weigh 200kg more.
The battery is said to be a nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) unit from China’s CATL – which also supplies Tesla and other top electric-car brands.
Its capacity is yet to be confirmed, but the 101kWh pack in high-grade SU7s is likely to be available – among other options – good for up to 830km of claimed driving range in the sedan, based on Chinese CLTC lab testing.
Photos of the interior are yet to be published, but it is likely to share the SU7’s 16.1-inch touchscreen, slim instrument display, 56-inch head-up display, and front sports seats.
Prices are also yet to be announced, but Car News China speculates it could start from about 250,000 Chinese yuan ($AU54,000) – in line with an entry-level Tesla Model Y in Xiaomi’s home market.
The SU7 sedan is priced from 215,900 to 299,990 Chinese yuan ($AU46,500 to $AU65,500).
The post Xiaomi smartphone brand reveals its first SUV, a Ferrari Purosangue copycat appeared first on Drive.
