Xiaomi SU7 Ultra to be Playable in Gran Turismo 7, Xiaomi Vision GT Concept EV Teased

Xiaomi’s top-end performance EV, the SU7 Ultra, will soon be playable in Gran Turismo 7 on the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 consoles. The Chinese electronics giant and Japanese game studio Polyphony Digital have announced a partnership, making the SU7 Ultra Xiaomi’s first vehicle to be featured in the legendary racing simulator. The companies say this marks the increasing influence of high-performance EVs in motorsport and the automotive industry. This also gives enthusiasts outside China their first opportunity to virtually experience some of the SU7's features and performance.

According to a company statement, Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi met with Xiaomi Group Founder, Chairman, and CEO Lei Jun last month in Beijing and toured its  Yizhuang EV manufacturing plant. He also personally test drove the SU7 Ultra.

The companies have not yet announced when the SU7 Ultra will be playable in Gran Turismo 7, but have noted that it will be available worldwide on release. They also teased a collaboration to develop a new Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo concept vehicle that “reflects shared values in technology, design excellence, and performance”. No further information about this has yet been announced.

The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is a heavily modified high-performance version of the SU7 luxury electric sedan. Xiaomi has developed its HyperEngine V8s, capable of 27,200 rpm, delivering 578 PS and 635 Nm of torque. Its top speed can exceed 350 kmph, and it can accelerate from 0–100 kmph in 1.98 seconds. Xiaomi has used carbon fibre to reduce weight, compared to the standard SU7. It has tested the SU7 Ultra at circuits including the Nürburgring Nordschleife, where it set a new lap record for a 4-door EV, at 6 minutes and 46.874 seconds. Xiaomi maintains a continuous presence to further tune this car and develop new offerings.

Gran Turismo 7, released in 2022, is a racing simulator game that tries to replicate authentic vehicle parameters and driving dynamics as well as real-world conditions. The SU7 Ultra in-game will be playable with handling characterisics modeled on real-world driving, including its torque vectoring and adaptive damping capabilities. 

In a press statement, Kazunori Yamauchi said "We are delighted to begin this partnership with Xiaomi. The Chinese automotive industry has progressed rapidly, and Xiaomi — a newly established player in the automotive sector — has already created an exceptional vehicle, Xiaomi SU7, as a pivotal part of its comprehensive smart ecosystem, which spans smartphones and wearables to home appliances. Beyond this, Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Prototype has shattered conventional performance benchmarks at the Nürburgring ... This spirit resonates profoundly with Gran Turismo and Polyphony Digital’s philosophy."

Lei Jun said "We deeply resonate with Mr. Yamauchi's visionary philosophy of building a better society through technology. This aligns perfectly with Xiaomi's mission to let everyone in the world enjoy a better life through accessible and innovative technology. Our shared values paved the way for this collaboration. Gran Turismo's worldwide reputation for uncompromising quality and experience makes us particularly honored to have Xiaomi SU7 Ultra included. We look forward to introducing more Gran Turismo players and automotive enthusiasts to the capabilities of high-performance smart EVs like ours."