Xiaomi SU7: The Smartphone Maker's First Electric Vehicle (Image: X @KneWKeeD)

Xiaomi, the Chinese smartphone maker, has unveiled its first electric vehicle in China. The electric sedan, named the Xiaomi SU7, will be available in three models. The lineup includes the SU7, the SU7 Pro, and the SU7 Max. The Chinese tech giant”s first EV offering is expected to be released into the market in February 2024.

The Xiaomi SU7 series will be manufactured under contract by Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co. Ltd (BAIC). The details of this significant venture were revealed in a Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing. The SU7 will be available in both Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) with 295 bhp and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with 664 bhp. While the RWD model can achieve a top speed of 210 kmph, the AWD variant has the capacity to achieve a top speed of 265 kmph. The company is also offering a BYD-sourced LFP (lithium-ion phosphate) blade battery on lower variants and an NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) type battery pack on top models.

Notably, Xiaomi”s electric vehicle has a design that is similar to the Tesla Model 3. Moreover, the model will run on the in-house HyperOS, which powers both cars and smartphones. CarNewsChina.com reported that the electric 4-door 5-seater SU7 will commence mass production next month. The report also revealed that the company has already started trial production of electric cars, and several test vehicles have rolled off the line. With the SU7, Xiaomi is all set to compete with the Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal, and BMW i4 in the Chinese market.

Xiaomi officially announced its EV plans in March 2021. On that occasion, Xiaomi announced that they would invest an estimated USD 10 billion in total over the course of the next 10 years. The company strongly believes that they have the most extensive experience in software and hardware integration and also have various core technologies that can be applied to the smart electric vehicle business.