Xiaomi SU7 electric car receives comprehensive model update

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In the automotive industry, a model cycle of seven to eight years is considered standard, with a model update halfway through. In China, however, this can apparently happen much faster, as is now the case with the Xiaomi SU7. In any case, this speed fits the model designation, an abbreviation of "Speed Ultra", as well as the transition to even faster charging.

The Chinese conglomerate Xiaomi, known for smartphones and also an automaker on the side, is breaking the rules of the automotive industry. It is subjecting its SU7 electric sedan to a model update after less than two years. Even before the car has arrived on European roads, it is already being fundamentally revised. Not cosmetically, not for marketing reasons, but deeply technically.

Consistent High-Voltage Architecture

This is most evident in the decision for a consistent high-voltage architecture. Previously, 800-volt technology was reserved for the more expensive versions of the SU7 series; now the SU7 is completely leaving the 400-volt world. All variants, including the base models, will operate with at least 752 volts in the future. Charging times will shrink, efficiency will increase, and thermal problems will be more manageable. Xiaomi sources the Cell-to-Pack power storage units with NMC cell chemistry from the major Chinese manufacturer CATL, which markets them under the designation "Qilin".

In the SU7, the transition, combined with the use of silicon carbide semiconductors in the adapted power electronics and further developed electric motors, leads to further improved efficiency and range. According to the Chinese CLTC cycle, the upmarket SU7 "Pro" model is expected to achieve a range of over 900 km. If this is converted to the more realistic European standard, 750 to 800 km still remain. If charging is necessary on the go, under ideal conditions, 670 km of range can be added in 15 minutes.

These are outstanding figures for a vehicle that costs less than 37,000 euros in China. Volume models like the Tesla Model 3 or VW ID.7 are likely to be put under pressure, even though Tesla, in particular, charges quite quickly for a 400-volt system.

LiDAR complements cameras, AI is implemented

Xiaomi is proceeding similarly consistently with its assistance and safety technology. What is often outsourced to expensive equipment packages in Europe is now standard equipment on the SU7. The LiDAR sensor, previously reserved for top versions, will now be present on every model. With this, Xiaomi is moving away from the "camera-only" strategy, which has been controversial for years with Tesla's FSD for understandable reasons.

In addition, there is significantly increased computing power from the new hardware architecture for the assistance systems: Xiaomi promises 700 TOPS in every variant, up from the previous 84. "TOPS" is the abbreviation for "Tera Operations per Second," a measure of computing power in the field of artificial intelligence. With both improvements, every SU7 is prepared for highly automated driving functions in terms of chip technology – regardless of the equipment line.

More models with air suspension

After China reacted to public concerns about the safety of electric door locks in an accident with new approval regulations, the model update brings an emergency power supply. Customer criticism of the too stiff chassis now also brings the dual-chamber air suspension with adaptive dampers, previously reserved for the top model, to the mid-range SU7 Pro equipment. The width of the rear tires increases from 245 to 265 mm, while it remains 245 at the front.

Despite significantly improved technology, higher performance, greater range, and a better chassis, prices are only increasing moderately. It's not even ten percent more: the Chinese starting price for the nearly five-meter-long, two-meter-wide, and spacious sedan with a three-meter wheelbase remains under 30,000 euros when converted. Xiaomi has not yet announced prices for European countries. However, one should expect around 2000 euros more than the current ones.

The giant group Xiaomi consistently leverages economies of scale, platform thinking, and its own software expertise, passing these advantages directly on to customers. Not as a discount gimmick, but as a strategy for market anchoring. The revised models will be hardly recognizable as such from the outside. The manufacturer has not yet provided any images. Customers who have already ordered an SU7 can rebook to the updated model at no extra charge. Xiaomi plans to launch the revised models in April.

(vbr)