Xiaomi SU7 Ultra: A 1,548-Horsepower Electric Track Monster That Makes Plaid Look Like a Prius
Image Credit: Xiaomi.
Xiaomi, a company best known for making phones that don't cost an arm and a leg, has decided to throw its hat into the supercar ring. And they're not just dipping a toe; they're doing a cannonball with the SU7 Ultra prototype. This thing isn't just a car; it's a declaration of war on internal combustion. No, scrap that. It's not a declaration - it's a Veni, Vidi, Vici by Xiaomi.
Let's start with the juicy bits. The Ultra packs a trio of electric motors, two of which are the company's own and the latest "HyperEngine V8S." With each spinning at a ludicrous 27,200 rpm and churning out 578 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, they're not messing around. So - two of those at the back, add in the third, slightly less bonkers V6S motor at the front, and you've got a combined output of 1,548 horsepower. That's more than a Bugatti Chiron, for crying out loud!
Look, I get it; I get too excited about the electric stuff from time to time. You're probably thinking: "Yeah, but it's electric, so it'll be slow off the line, right?" Wrong! This sucker will rocket from 0 to 62 mph in a neck-snapping 1.97 seconds. That's quicker than the Model S Plaid. And if you keep your foot planted, you'll arrive at 120 mph in less than six seconds. Keep that right foot planted, and it'll top out at over 217 mph. Seriously, that's enough to make a fighter pilot jealous.
I think - you can call me mad if you want - that the next bit is actually the most interesting. We all understand that this much power is useless if you can't stop. Xiaomi has fitted the Ultra with AP Racing six-piston brakes (front and rear) that could stop a runaway train. They're designed for race track abuse, withstanding temperatures of over 1,472°F and working together with recalibrated regenerative braking. Wait for it… the SU7 Ultra achieves a deceleration of over 2.36 Gs.
Image Credit: Xiaomi.
2.36 G??? That yellow bolt of Chinese lightning stops from 62 mph in 82 feet - there it is. Stopping this beast from any speed will be an experience unlike any other. Strapping your body to the racing seat won't be enough. You'll have to strap your head and probably tape down your eyelids to stop your eyeballs from splattering all over the windshield. If you're not careful, your tongue can push your front teeth out. You get the picture.
But the Ultra doesn't just go fast; it charges fast, too. It features the "world's first Kirin 2 battery," jointly developed with CATL. This 800-volt wonder can handle a mind-blowing 1,330 kW of discharge power and can be recharged at a rate of 5.2C. In plain English, that means it can go from empty to full in about 11 and a half minutes. It can handle full-power hot laps all the way down to 20% of the battery charge, then comes in for a quick recharge, a new set of tires, and it's out again. Did Xiaomi just create a perfect track tool?
Image Credit: Xiaomi.
Sure, this is just a prototype. It'll never see the light of day. Well, it turns out not quite. Xiaomi seems to be pretty serious about this thing. They're planning to take it to the Nurburgring, that hallowed ground of performance cars, and attempt to set a new lap record. If they succeed, it'll be a huge blow to the egos of established supercar makers. And after they've knocked out everyone in the prototype class, they want to go for the production car record. Wait….What? There's a production Ultra coming?
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. There are still a few question marks. For starters, how much will this thing cost? We don't know yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if it requires a second mortgage. And then there's the question of practicality. Sure, it's a blast on a racetrack, but how will it handle a trip to the grocery store? And what about a "civilian" SU7 Ultra? Will it still have as much power?
The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra has got the automotive world buzzing with excitement and anticipation. And if Xiaomi does manage to pull this off, it could change the way we think about electric cars forever. No pressure, then.
So - the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra. It's fast, it's powerful, and it charges quicker than you can order a pizza. Is it the future of electric performance? I don't want to sound like an excited kid in a candy shop - but heck yeah! I'm already planning a garage extension, looking for tickets to China and trying to figure out how to smuggle this thing in. Does anybody know how to hide a second mortgage from the wife?
