Xiaomi Unveils 1,003-HP YU7 GT SUV in Aggressive EV Push

Xiaomi Corp. has launched the high-performance YU7 GT SUV, a 1,003-horsepower electric vehicle that marks the tech giant’s most ambitious foray yet into China’s fiercely competitive EV market. Unveiled on May 21 at Xiaomi’s “Human x Car x Home” ecosystem event, the YU7 GT starts at 389,900 yuan ($57,310) and arrives as the company’s core smartphone business faces significant headwinds, with global shipments falling 19.1% year-on-year in Q1 2026, according to Caixin.

A Performance SUV Built for the Track

The YU7 GT is powered by Xiaomi’s next-generation HyperEngine V8s EVO motor, which delivers a staggering 738 kW (1,003 hp) of peak power. The SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.92 seconds and reaches a top speed of 300 km/h, according to CarNewsChina.

Under the hood — or rather, under the floor — the YU7 GT carries a 101.7 kWh ternary lithium battery built on an 897V silicon carbide high-voltage platform. This setup delivers a CLTC-rated range of 705 kilometers, with 15 minutes of charging adding up to 570 km of range.

Xiaomi has equipped the vehicle with the “Jiaolong Chassis Master Edition,” tuned at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany. The chassis features dual-valve CDC dampers, closed dual-chamber air springs, and an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) for millisecond-level torque distribution between the rear wheels.

The braking system is equally track-focused, with oversized carbon-ceramic discs and high-performance Akebono calipers — six-piston at the front, four-piston at the rear. The system brings the SUV from 100-0 km/h in just 32.9 meters and shows no fade after ten consecutive 180-0 km/h stops.

Nürburgring Record and Premium Positioning

Just days before the launch, the YU7 GT set a new SUV lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife with a time of 7 minutes 22.755 seconds, surpassing the previous record by 14 seconds, as reported by IT之家 and CnEVPost. This bested the Audi RS Q8 Performance (7:36.698) and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT (7:38.925), cementing Xiaomi’s credentials as a serious performance contender.

“The YU7 GT is an authentic, pure-blooded GT, a sports car-level SUV that is both full of driving pleasure and capable of long-distance driving,” said Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s founder and CEO, at the launch event.

Xiaomi is offering the YU7 GT in five colors across four series: Crimson Red (Sports), Volcanic Grey (Luxury), Obsidian Black and Pearl White (Classic), and Titanium (Fashion). A fully-equipped “Big Full Pack” version is available at 429,900 yuan ($63,200), and buyers can opt for a 24K gold-carbon fiber badge.

A Dual-Product Strategy

Alongside the GT, Xiaomi also launched a new YU7 Standard Edition starting at 233,500 yuan ($34,300), directly challenging the Tesla Model Y. This dual-product approach allows Xiaomi to capture both the mass market and the premium performance niche simultaneously.

The strategy builds on remarkable momentum. In 2025, Xiaomi delivered 411,000 vehicles — far exceeding its original target of 300,000. The SU7 became China’s top-selling electric sedan priced above 200,000 yuan, overtaking the Tesla Model 3, while the YU7 claimed the title of China’s most popular electric SUV. In Q4 2025, Xiaomi reached a quarterly record of 145,000 vehicle deliveries, and the company reported its first-ever quarterly operating profit from its EV, AI, and new initiatives segment in Q3 2025, per Caixin.

In April 2026, Xiaomi EV delivered 36,702 vehicles, up 28.40% year-on-year and 71.18% month-on-month, according to data compiled by CnEVPost. The company has set an ambitious delivery target of 550,000 units for 2026.

Strategic Shift Amid Smartphone Headwinds

The YU7 GT launch comes at a pivotal moment for Xiaomi. The company’s global smartphone shipments fell 19.1% year-on-year in Q1 2026, according to IDC data cited by Caixin, reflecting broader market pressures including rising component costs and intensified competition. The EV division is becoming increasingly critical to Xiaomi’s growth narrative.

Xiaomi’s strategy differentiates through its “Human x Car x Home” ecosystem, integrating smartphones, smart home devices, and vehicles into a seamless experience — a unique competitive advantage over traditional automakers. The company also signaled international ambitions with the May 8 appointment of Yu Liguo as head of overseas business preparation, suggesting Xiaomi is preparing to export its EVs beyond China.

Outlook and Challenges

While the YU7 GT positions Xiaomi as a premium performance brand, challenges remain. The company has faced scrutiny over fatal crashes involving the SU7, addressing concerns with safety upgrades in March 2026. Production capacity is another hurdle, with delivery wait times for the YU7 reportedly reaching 56 weeks. Scaling to meet the 550,000-unit 2026 target while maintaining quality will test Xiaomi’s manufacturing capabilities.

Nevertheless, the YU7 GT represents a clear statement of intent: Xiaomi is not merely participating in China’s EV revolution — it aims to lead it, one record-breaking lap at a time.