Xiaomi SU7 Ultra shatters Nurburgring record

The Nurburgring Nordschleife is a legendary racetrack in Germany that has witnessed countless battles of automotive prowess. The latest contender just stepped up to the Green Hell and, in the process, rewrote the rules of speed and challenged the dominance of traditional performance cars. The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra prototype, an electric sedan from the Chinese tech giant, has claimed the title of the fastest four-door car around the 'Ring, clocking an astonishing lap time of 6:46.874.

This feat is even more remarkable, considering it was the prototype's first attempt at the challenging circuit. Xiaomi EV, the company's electric vehicle division, proudly proclaimed this achievement as a "miracle and a new beginning."

The SU7 Ultra prototype is based on the existing Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan, which launched earlier this year with a starting price of RMB 215,900 (approximately $30,260). However, the Ultra takes performance to a whole new level. It is powered by three of Xiaomi's electric V8s motors, delivering a staggering 1,548 horsepower combined. This allows the SU7 Ultra to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 1.97 seconds and reach a top speed exceeding 217 mph.

The road to the Nurburgring record was not without its challenges. Xiaomi EV initially booked the track for two days in October but faced poor weather conditions. After several delays, the team finally secured a one-hour window yesterday (October 28) to attempt the record-breaking run. With David Pittard, winner of the 2023 24 Hours of the Nurburgring, behind the wheel, the SU7 Ultra prototype took to the track and etched its name in automotive history.

While the prototype's performance is undeniably impressive, the real question is how it translates to the production version. Xiaomi has confirmed that the production SU7 Ultra, slated for release in the first half of 2025, will retain the prototype's chassis structure, triple motors, and battery pack. This suggests that the production model will inherit a significant portion of the prototype's performance DNA.

Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun has indicated that the production version will be "slightly more expensive" than the current SU7 models. This is understandable, considering the performance enhancements incorporated into the Ultra. The production version of the Ultra is open for orders now.

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