The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, this electric vehicle landscape is buzzing with innovation, but few vehicles have caused as much excitement and scrutiny as the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra. Heralded as a direct challenge to established performance giants, this new electric sedan from the electronics behemoth promises ludicrous power levels at an almost unbelievable price point.

In a comprehensive first drive and performance test, this article dives deep into what makes the SU7 Ultra a potential game-changer—or perhaps, a cautionary tale. We explore its eye-watering specifications, luxury features, and how it stacks up against the best from Porsche and Tesla on the track.

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Unveiling the Beast: Power, Price, and Nürburgring Ambitions

The initial reveal of the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra sent shockwaves through the automotive world. The presenter jokingly suggests it boasts over 1,500 horsepower, a figure that sets a dizzying benchmark for mass-produced EVs.

Performance Prowess: Beyond 1,500 HP

The Ultra variant is powered by a sophisticated three-motor setup—two on the rear axle and one upfront—mirroring the configuration of the Tesla Model S Plaid. However, Xiaomi pushes the boundaries even further:

Maximum Power: An astonishing 1,548 horsepower (or 1,138 kW).
Torque: A colossal 1,700 Nm of torque.
Motor Speed: The motors can spin up to 27,000 RPM, significantly higher than the typical 21,000 RPM seen in many competitors.

This raw output even surpasses the figures of a Bugatti Chiron. The base-level SU7, by contrast, offers a more modest 299 horsepower.

The Shock Factor: Price Versus Performance

What truly stunned reviewers was the pricing structure. In China, the SU7 Ultra starts at the equivalent of £50,000. To put this into perspective, that is roughly one-quarter the price of the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT in the same market. While analysts predict a European price tag closer to £80,000, the sheer performance-per-pound proposition remains revolutionary.

Nürburgring Benchmark

Though the reviewer questions its immediate track credentials, the video references the incredible Nürburgring time set by an old 991 Porsche—7 minutes and 4 seconds. For context, the fastest Tesla Model S managed a 7:25 lap. The question hanging in the air: Can this affordability-meets-hypercar-power sedan truly compete?

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Design and Interior: Inspired by Giants

The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is not shy about drawing inspiration from established high-performance vehicles, resulting in a distinctive and aggressive aesthetic:

Exterior Inspiration: The headlight design strongly recalls the McLaren 720S, while the overall side profile and font choices echo the Porsche Taycan.
Aerodynamics: The Ultra features a larger, more aggressive front apron that improves battery cooling by 10% over standard models.
High-End Components: Even at the low entry price, the Ultra includes standard carbon-ceramic brakes and optional performance elements like an aggressive rear wing and an electronically activated rear diffuser flap that moves up and down—a feature rarely seen on cars at this price point.

Cabin Experience: Tech Overload and Quality Surprises

Stepping inside the SU7 Ultra reveals a cockpit loaded with premium materials and cutting-edge tech, albeit with some teething issues:

Materials: Expect a luxurious blend of two-tone finishes, Alcantara headlining, and carbon fiber detailing on the steering wheel and interior trim. Material quality is generally high, though some lower plastics feel slightly more budget-oriented.
Innovative Displays: A unique feature involves a key card placement that, upon touching the brake, causes a side display panel to rotate, revealing the digital driver’s display.
Infotainment Hack: The large central screen is initially in Chinese, but a persistent “engineering hack” (repeatedly pressing a specific button) switches the interface to English. The responsiveness of the system is praised, a common strength in Chinese automotive tech.
Ergonomics: Adjustable controls for physical functions like fan speed, temperature, and suspension height (air suspension is standard) are appreciated. Adjusting the steering column, however, initially requires navigating the complex screen menus.
Seating: Sport seats come standard, featuring moving side bolsters that actively grip the driver during cornering.

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Practicality and European Woes

While packed with features, the SU7 Ultra faces practical limitations when deployed outside its native market.

Rear Seating and Storage

The rear cabin is spacious, benefiting from the large glass roof, similar to the Model S. Knee room is ample, and the seats feature thoughtful touches like built-in hooks for hanging devices. However, the seats are mounted relatively low due to the underfloor battery, slightly compromising under-thigh support.

Storage options are generous: a 454L boot (slightly larger than the Taycan sedan), multiple storage nets, a deep cubby for charging cables, and a decent-sized frunk (front boot).

Europe Adaptation Challenges

Transitioning the SU7 Ultra to European roads reveals several hurdles:

1. Self-Driving Capabilities: The large housing on the exterior suggests advanced LiDAR-based self-driving systems, but these features are currently inaccessible to European drivers, who are restricted to standard adaptive cruise control.
2. Charging Adapter: To use DC fast chargers in Europe, an adapter is necessary, dropping the charging speed significantly from the nearly 500 kW capacity in China down to 130 kW.
3. Software Quirks: The car reportedly exhibits connection issues with Huawei phones due to an alleged corporate “beef” in China, though it connects seamlessly with iPhones and Xiaomi devices.
4. Minor Frustrations: The rear-view camera is positioned low and lacks a washer, quickly becoming obscured in rain. Furthermore, the high-performance brakes emit a noticeable squeak during low-speed driving.

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The Ultimate Showdown: Drag Racing Against Tuned Titans

To test the SU7 Ultra’s real-world acceleration, it was pitted against two heavily modified machines: a 1,500+ horsepower R35 Nissan GT-R and a 1,500+ horsepower Lamborghini (manual, AWD).

The Drag Race Disaster (and Recovery)

The initial runs were dramatic:

The GT-R driver reported a turbo failure immediately after the first launch, though they managed a quick, temporary fuse reset to continue.
In the first true drag race against the Lamborghini, the SU7 Ultra struggled with traction off the line.
Crucially, on subsequent runs, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra overheated. Continuous high-power launches caused the battery to warm up excessively, forcing the car to reduce motor power output for protection. This allowed the tuned GT-R (running 9.1s in the quarter mile) and the Lamborghini (10.0s) to win.

Full Power Performance Metrics

When allowed to run without overheating constraints, the SU7 Ultra demonstrated its true potential:

Quarter Mile Time: 9.4 seconds, matching a Bugatti Chiron Pure Sport.
0-60 mph Time: 2.79 seconds. While slower than Xiaomi’s aggressive claimed time of 1.98 seconds, 2.79 seconds remains exceptional for a £50,000 vehicle.

The Driving Experience: Dialed In

Despite the thermal management issues under extreme load, the driving dynamics on normal roads were impressive. The air suspension handled low-speed bumps adequately, and the throttle calibration felt the “most dialed-in electric car from China” the reviewer had driven.

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Final Verdict: Feature-Packed Future or Flawed Future?

The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is a paradox wrapped in carbon fiber. It delivers supercar performance statistics and near-premium interior quality for the price of a premium family sedan.

Key takeaways include:

Hyper-Spec Value: 1,548 horsepower for £50,000 (China price) is staggering.
Exquisite Details: Features like the 24-karat gold and carbon fiber Xiaomi badge (protected by a local law against stealing items over £500 in value) and a bulletproof battery casing (proven by dropping a watermelon off a six-story building) show engineering ambition.
Tech Integration: The infotainment, while complex initially, is fast, and the customizable four different sound modes (including one mimicking a Porsche Taycan) highlight the company’s heritage in consumer electronics.

Ultimately, the SU7 Ultra proves that Chinese manufacturers are now capable of developing vehicles that challenge the very best in performance and technology. However, buyers outside of China must contend with adapter requirements, reduced fast-charging speeds, and the teething pains associated with deploying bleeding-edge technology globally.

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