The Breakdown
- The Xiaomi YU7 GT lapped the Nordschleife in 7:34.93.
- The previous record was held by the Audi RS Q8 with 7:36.69.
- Xiaomi will unveil the YU7 GT later this week.
You know we’re living in a weird timeline when a company primarily known for smartphones just claimed a Nürburgring record. Xiaomi’s upcoming YU7 GT managed to dethrone the Audi RS Q8 at the top of the SUV leaderboard around the challenging German racetrack. Ahead of its reveal later this week, the Chinese EV crossed the finish line in 7 minutes and 34.93 seconds.
Driven by Xiaomi chief test driver Ren Zhoucan, the YU7 GT improved the previous lap record by 1.76 seconds. It marks the first time a Chinese driver has set an official Nürburgring lap time, but this isn’t Xiaomi’s first rodeo at the Green Hell. The automaker’s first model, the production-ready SU7 Ultra, completed the challenging course in 7:04.95.
Onboard footage from the YU7 GT’s record run, available on the Weibo social media platform, suggests the SUV isn’t the same version customers will be able to buy. Aside from the full roll cage, the rear seats were removed to shave weight. The strategy reminds us of an SU7 Ultra prototype that lapped the Nürburgring last year in just 6:22.09.
Xiaomi set the SUV lap record on April 2 but waited until today to share the news, building hype ahead of the YU7’s reveal on May 21. The electric SUV used for the Nürburgring hot lap featured an optional Track Package that we’ll learn more about during the official premiere on Thursday.
The Xiaomi YU7 Has Nearly 1,000 HP
According to regulatory filings with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the YU7 is expected to feature a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup producing 990 horsepower. Local reports claim Xiaomi is targeting a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h), which would make it one of the fastest SUVs in the world. It’s a realistic figure, considering Nürburgring footage shows the vehicle reaching a GPS-verified 185.7 mph (299 km/h) on the long straight.
The motors are believed to draw power from a 101.7-kWh battery pack, providing a maximum range of 438 miles (705 kilometers), albeit under China’s lenient CLTC test cycle. All final figures should be disclosed at the YU7’s unveiling later this week.
Xiaomi YU7 GT breaks SUV Nürburgring record
Motor1's Take: Nürburgring lap times are ultimately bragging rights, primarily serving as a marketing tool to sell more cars. Xiaomi is using the Green Hell as a platform to promote its EVs, all while signaling Chinese EVs can now pose a serious threat to the long-running German establishment on their own turf.
Source: Xiaomi Auto / Weibo
