Xiaomi’s push into the electric vehicle (EV) market has taken a high-performance turn, with its SU7 Ultra setting a new production car lap record at the Shanghai International Circuit (SIC).
Clocking in at 2 minutes, 9.944 seconds, the SU7 Ultra surpassed the previous benchmark held by the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, making it the fastest mass-produced EV to lap the SIC.
Officially certified
The record-breaking run adhered strictly to SIC’s mass production vehicle inspection standards, ensuring fairness and credibility.
Xiaomi also confirmed that every performance-related component, including the tyres, complied with production specifications. Timing was conducted using the same official system employed in Formula One, guaranteeing accuracy.
Ren Zhoucan, Xiaomi EV’s Head of Dynamic Performance Development and a seasoned test driver with extensive experience in vehicle dynamics, piloted the SU7 Ultra for the record lap.
A core figure in Xiaomi’s EV performance team, Ren leveraged his extensive track experience to push the vehicle to its limits.
For safety reasons, a full roll cage was fitted to the test car, slightly increasing its weight.
Proving grounds
Beyond its Shanghai success, the SU7 Ultra has demonstrated its performance capabilities on the global stage, including a competitive run at the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra prototype set a Nurburgring lap time of 6 minutes and 46.874 seconds, surpassing the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT’s previous record of 7 minutes and 7.55 seconds.
This emphasises Xiaomi’s ambition to challenge the dominant players in the performance EV segment. It also highlights the SU7 Ultra’s tri-motor setup, which delivers 1140 kW, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 1.97 seconds and reach a top speed exceeding 350km/h.
February launch
Xiaomi plans to officially launch the SU7 Ultra in Mainland China by the end of February, positioning it as a high-performance EV contender.
While initial availability is focused on China, Xiaomi has hinted at potential international expansion, aligning with its broader strategy to strengthen its global market positioning. The SU7 Ultra’s record-breaking run further signals its ambition to compete at the highest level.
