Xiaomi YU7 “High-Performance Luxury” Electric SUV Officially Launched in China

Although it had already shared several images and detailed specifications of the YU7 SUV online, Xiaomi has now formally launched its second vehicle model in China and has disclosed much more information about its design, specifications, safety features, and tech. However a “sales launch” will only happen in July, and prices will not be disclosed till then. Xiaomi also announced its first in-house flagship-grade processor, called the XRing O1, and its new Xiaomi 15S Pro smartphone and Pad 7 Ultra tablet powered by it.

The YU7 will take on Tesla’s popular Model Y and should pose stiff competition to it. However it is unlikely that Xiaomi will launch either this new SUV or the SU7 sedan outside China anytime soon. The company says delivery times for vehicles already ordered now stretch to nearly a year, and it is quickly building additional production capacity just to meet domestic demand.

There will be three variants – the YU7 Standard and YU7 Pro with the same 96.3 kWh battery capacity, and the YU7 Max with a 101.7 kWh battery. The YU7 Standard delivers the longest range at 835km (China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle), which Xiaomi says is a class leader. The YU7 Pro and YU7 Max variants are four-wheel drive, offering 760km and 770km CLTC ranges respectively. The company has used a 800V silicon carbide high-voltage platform. A 10 percent to 80 percent charge is possible in 12 minutes, while 15 minutes of charging can deliver up to 620km of range. 

Xiaomi has released a tonne of interesting details about its design process and philosophy. The YU7 is designed to match its sibling, the SU7, yet stand out with a bolder and more imposing silhouette. It measures 4.9m (L) × 1.9mm (W) × 1.6m (H) with a 3m wheelbase. Xiaomi has consciously aimed for a 1:3 head-to-body ratio and low-slung posture.

Maximum output for the dual-motor, four-wheel drive configuration is 690 PS, peak power is 508 kW, and peak torque is 528 Nm. The 0-100 acceleration time is 3.23 seconds, and shortest braking distance from 100 kmph to zero is 33.9m. The turning radius is 5.7m and there’s continuous damper control to match road conditions. 

Xiaomi calls its engine the HyperEngine V6s Plus. Drivers also get front double wishbone and rear five-link independent suspension, closed double-chamber air springs with five levels of height adjustment and adjustable stiffness, and Brembo four-piston fixed calipers.

The Xiaomi YU7 will be available in three colours at launch time. The high-saturation, dual-layer Emerald Green option is infused with aluminium flakes and has a translucent top-coat for a gemstone-inspired refraction effect. The Titanium Silver finish is meant to look opulent, while the metallic-pearl Lava Orange option is more dramatic. Previous publicity shots have shown the YU7 in blue-grey and darker blue-purple finishes, but there’s no information about the availability of these. There are also three interior options: the lighter Pine Gray, or the deeper Coral Orange and Twilight Blue.

The SU7’s signature “waterdrop” headlamps have been retained, but with integrated air channels for a sharper look and a 180-degree throw angle. The rear is more sculpted and muscular, with a totally redesigned ring-like taillight cluster. Xiaomi also says it has gone with “premium ultra-red lighting” (wavelengths >632 nm) which is highly visible at night.

The flush door handles automatically extend when a user with a paired key approaches, for easier entry. When retracted, the handles blend in with the car’s contours for aerodynamic efficiency. The hollow rear spoiler and one-piece aluminium hood have also been designed to reduce drag significantly. Xiaomi also says the YU7 has 10 air channels, 19 vents, and an active grille system with 100 automatically adjusting louvres to optimise airflow and achieve a class-leading Cd 0.245 drag coefficient.

On the inside, Xiaomi says it has gone for “tech-inspired luxury”. The HyperVision Panoramic Display is built using three mini-LED screens and can project information onto the lower portion of the windscreen, making for a 1.1m (roughly 43-inch) display equivalent. The company has engineered this display to reduce glare and distortion, and improve visibility even in direct sunlight. The HyperVision Panoramic Display can be set to show information including navigation and real-time road conditions within the sightlines of different drivers and can adapt to different head positions when manoeuvring. Drivers and passengers can also configure preferred views for media controls, instrument readouts, and more. This is in addition to the 16.1-inch centre infotainment touchscreen, shared with the SU7. There’s also a remote control panel and dual rear entertainment displays for rear-seat passengers. 

All the tech is powered by a new unified domain control module to reduce space usage and complexity, and improve power efficiency. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC runs the digital cockpit for a responsive smartphone-like UI. ADAS features are handled by an Nvidia Drive AGX Thor chip capable of on-device AI processing. There’s integrated 5G, dual Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a UWB key. Even the onboard hotspot is said to be up to 83 percent faster. 

All YU7 variants are equipped with one LiDAR, one 4D mmWave radio, 12 ultrasonic radars, and 11 HD cameras including seven with anti-glare coatings, in a possible move to pip Tesla’s self-driving capabilities. As Xiaomi deals with the very public fallout of its first fatal accident, it asserts its improved early detection and avoidance systems, labeling them “assisted driving”. 

Onboard driving education modules include drills and emergency situation training, and can help familiarise drivers with the YU7. This will be an optional extra priced at 1,999 RMB (approximately ₹23,850). 

The dual zero-gravity front seats offer one-touch recline and 10-point massaging. The power-adjustable rear seats recline to 135 degrees for a lounge-like feel. All seats are upholstered in Nappa leather. Xiaomi also says it has used eco-friendly, infant-safe and hypoallergenic materials everywhere.  

The cabin has been designed with 73mm rear legroom, and Xiaomi says its battery design allows for better headroom and overall space optimisation. The front trunk has a 141 litre capacity, while the cargo area can be expanded from 678 litres to 1,758 litres with the rear seats folded. There’s an additional 71 litres of space across the interior storage spaces. There’s also a 1.7 sq m sunroof.

The YU7’s hybrid steel-aluminum frame has been engineered with a larger front crumple zone compared to the SU7 and a new high-strength crossbeam in the underbody to protect the battery better. The company also says it has co-developed the industry’s highest-strength hot-formed steel, using AI algorithms to test 24 million different possible formulations.

Interest in the Xiaomi YU7 is likely to be high, though prices are not yet known. An exact date when prices will be announced is not yet known. The company registered 88,898 pre-orders for the SU7 sedan on its first day, and crossed the 2,00,000 deliveries mark in less than a year.