Fresh from blitzing the SUV lap record at the Nürburgring, the Xiaomi YU7 GT has been launched in China, topping out the electric crossover‘s lineup with a mini-Ultra performance variant. Its market debut coincides with the news of the car setting an even quicker lap time around the fearsome Nordschleife circuit, smashing the previous record by more than 12 seconds (!) with a time of 7 minutes 22.755 seconds, set by Belgian race driver Vincent Radermecker.
The original time of 7 minutes 34.931 seconds was already enough to beat the Audi RS Q8 Performance – albeit by a scant 1.8 seconds – meaning that the YU7 GT is now nearly 14 seconds quicker than its nearest rival. The prototype used to set the two records was fitted with a yet-to-be-released Track Package, and according to Autohome, this includes the fitment of semi-slick tyres that are wider at the back at 325 mm, versus 295 mm for the standard car.
All this performance comes down to the electric motors – there are two of them, instead of three on the sensational SU7 Ultra. The rear axle features Xiaomi’s most powerful motor yet, the V8s Evo – spinning up to 28,000 rpm, it makes 612 PS (450 kW) and 540 Nm of torque all on its own.
This is supported by a front motor churning out an additional 392 PS (288 kW) and 528 Nm, and the result is a heady total system output of 1,003 PS (738 kW) and 1,068 Nm. So equipped, the YU7 GT is able to blitz its way from zero to 100 km/h in as little as 2.92 seconds before hitting a top speed of 300 km/h.
Juiced by the same 101.7 kWh NMC battery as the YU7 Max, the GT delivers a respectable 705 km of range on China’s admittedly lenient CLTC cycle; expect a WLTP figure closer to 570 km. As per the latest SU7, the car is built on an 897-volt electrical architecture that enables “5.2C” DC fast charging (around 520 kW), meaning that it can be topped up from 10 to 80% in just 12 minutes.
Power is nothing without control, as Pirelli says (ironic, given that the GT rides on Michelin Pilot Sport 5 EV tyres), so the YU7’s optional dual-chamber air suspension has been augmented by dual-valve adaptive dampers, both linked to centralised Xiaomi Smart Chassis 2.0 Master Edition control software.
There’s also an electronic rear limited-slip differential and Akebono carbon ceramic brakes with six-piston front callipers. With an operating temperature of up to 1,300 degrees Celcius, Xiaomi claims the GT’s brakes can stop the car from 100 km/h in just 32.9 metres and perform ten stops from 180 km/h without any noticeable brake fade. The regenerative braking of up to 400 kW also delivers up to 0.6 g in deceleration.
The YU7’s handsome, slightly Ferrari Purosangue-esque design has been toughened up in GT form, with larger front air intakes, wider (non-rifled) wheel arch flares, a more prominent tailgate spoiler and a ginormous active rear diffuser. As per the SU7 Ultra, there are carbon fibre door mirrors, headlight buckets, bonnet vents and rear ducktail, along with optional badging made from carbon and 24-karat gold. Buyers can also specify 21-inch forged alloy wheels in a Y-spoke design.
Inside, the YU7’s slick interior – replete with a 16.1 inch infotainment touchscreen and a BMW iX3-aping full-width projection display – gains a carbon fibre steering wheel, heavier seat bolstering for the 18-way power-adjustable and massaging carbon-backed front seats (a one-touch “zero gravity” recline feature is also available), Nappa leather and Alcantara upholstery and a smattering of GT badges.
The available exterior colours include Crimson Red, Obsidian Black, Titanium Silver, Pearl White and Volcanic Ash (grey), with Xiaomi’s new personalisation service adding matte Stealth Black and Titanium Silver, as well as Mercury Silver. The interior, meanwhile, can be had in red and black, full black and even purple and grey, as well as a personalised Gentian Blue (we can already hear the Porsche lawyers calling). Pricing for the car starts at 389,900 yuan (RM226,800).
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