Xiaomi To Launch More Powerful SU7 To Rival Porsche Taycan

The Chinese smartphone giant aims to take the title of the fastest production EV at the iconic Nürburgring race track.

Xiaomi is prepping a performance version of the SU7 EV to challenge the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT for being the fastest production EV at the iconic Nürburgring race track. The Chinese EV has been in the news for clocking over 100,000 bookings within 6 days of launch. That is a testament to its impact on potential customers. The EV left international car experts impressed with its driving dynamics at the relatively affordable price point. Now, Xiaomi is aiming for a hardcore performance trim of the EV.

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Xiaomi SU7 Performance Version To Rival Porsche Taycan

A heavily camouflaged avatar of the Xiaomi SU7 was spotted performing hot laps on the Nordschleife at the Nürburgring race track. The Nordschleife is 20.830 km (12.943 mi.) long and has an elevation of more than 300 m (1,000 ft) between its lowest and highest points. The SU7 burning rubber can only mean bad news for the likes of the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and Tesla Model S Plaid.

The German phenomenon currently holds a lap time of 7:07.55 at the legendary race track. This makes it the second fastest production EV after Rimac Nevera. The Chinese smartphone giant holds high ambitions of achieving the Nürburgring glory. In order to do so, I expect this special version of the SU7 to come with a powertrain which outputs in excess of 1,000 PS of maximum power.

The current fastest version of the SU7 makes 663 hp (495 kW) and 838 Nm (618 lb-ft) of peak power and torque. With this setup, the electric sedan can sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in an impressive 2.78 seconds. But to match the performance of the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with the Weissach Lightweight Package, this number has to be even lower. Remember, with this package, the Taycan produces a ginormous 1,108 PS (815 kW) of top power for small durations of time.

Looking at the test mule, it is clear that Xiaomi is working towards that goal. For instance, this SU7 carries a fixed rear wing and a compact chin spoiler underneath the front bumper to capitalize on the massive extra downforce at the rear. A few more aerodynamic alterations to the design and a stiffer suspension setup should be the bare minimum requirements to make the EV breathe fire. More details will emerge with time.

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Learn Electric Cars Says

It is becoming apparent that Xiaomi didn’t just want to make an affordable lookalike of the Taycan, but an electric monster which would be able to defeat Porsche at its own game. All this with a relatively affordable price point. This is a polite way to announce rivalry. Now, whether it is able to defy all odds to appear at the top of the Nürburgring table or not, remains to be seen.

Nevertheless, the fact that the Chinese car marque is offering such a capable SUV at a fraction of the cost of the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT or Tesla Model S Plaid is rather commendable and impressive. Recognizing this, potential customers are flocking to buy it, as indicated by the bookings and ongoing deliveries. We shall have to wait and watch how it manages to conquer the monumental Nürburgring race track.

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