Anticipated Arrival Timeline of the Xiaomi YU7, Potential Competition for the Tesla Model Y in 2025.
Xiaomi Unveils Premium Electric SUV YU7: A Rival in the Competitive Stock Market
Chinese tech giant Xiaomi is set to enter the electric vehicle stock market with its first SUV model, the YU7. The new vehicle is expected to launch before the end of June, joining the brand's already successful electric sports sedan, the SU7.
The YU7 will be a premium electric SUV, boasting an 800-volt electrical system for fast charging, allowing for more than 500km of range in just 15 minutes. The vehicle will be available in three variants: Long Range rear-wheel-drive, Long Range all-wheel-drive Pro, and a performance-oriented all-wheel-drive Max.
Each variant of the YU7 offers impressive performance figures. The basic 'V6' unit produces 220kW/400Nm, while the higher-spec 'V6s' delivers 275kW/500Nm. The top-spec 'V8s' motor pushes out an impressive 425kW/635Nm. However, no Ultra version of the YU7 has been revealed as of now.
The YU7 will enter a tough stock market segment in this part of the world, with competitors like the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, BYD Sealion 7, and potentially the Denza Z9 GT. The high-performance Ultra version of the SU7 sedan, which can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 1.98 seconds, sets a high bar for performance.
The YU7 is expected to have a higher price than the SU7 due to its unique features. Chinese media speculates a price-tag for the YU7 as low as the equivalent of NZ$54,100, but Xiaomi's founder and CEO, Lei Jun, has refuted this.
The YU7 shares styling cues with luxury brands such as Porsche, Ferrari, and McLaren, adding to its premium appeal. Xiaomi's automotive division is expanding beyond its initial model with the launch of the YU7, signalling the brand's commitment to the electric vehicle stock market.
The Max variant of the YU7 features an even larger 101.7kWh battery, providing a driving range of 760km. The Long Range variants of the YU7 are equipped with a 96.3kWh battery pack, offering 835km or 770km of driving range respectively.
Demand for the SU7 already exceeds Xiaomi's construction capacity, and the arrival of the YU7 is likely to make limitations worse for the brand. Denza, BYD's luxury arm, is expected to arrive before the end of 2025, but the Denza Z9 GT has yet to be locked in for local release.
The YU7 is a rival to the BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV6, promising to bring a fresh contender to the electric SUV stock market. As the launch date approaches, anticipation for the YU7 continues to grow.
