From now on, this phone brand will also make cars

The electric car era has sparked smartphone brands’ interest in the four-wheeler industry. Driven by their technological developments – particularly in terms of software and batteries – several of them have decided to venture beyond their limits, thus announcing their foray into the field.

Even though Apple was the first manufacturer to do so, today it is Xiaomi which is leading this race, having practically prepared its first vehicle: the SU7, a 100% electric sedan almost five meters long, designed to compete directly with Tesla.

Since launching its first smartphone in 2011, Xiaomi has gained market share in China and expanded its product line to other electronic devices. It currently enjoys global influence in the cellular technology market and a worldwide fan base, which could give it a competitive advantage in the electric vehicle market.

Today, the brand is synonymous with quality and affordable technology, which could attract consumers looking for affordable options in the electric vehicle segment.

That being said, Xiaomi has an advantage over the rest of the manufacturers: its stores. The tech giant has already announced that it will use its own network of stores to sell the car. As if you were going to buy a cell phone.

Of course, not all stores will be able to accommodate the SU7, but it is true that the most representative stores of the brand will be used for its marketing, so that it involves practically no promotion and sales costs.

The first images of the Xiaomi SU7 have been revealed by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Organization that submitted the technology giant’s car to the approval process as a preliminary step to its commercialization.

From the photographs we can already tell that it is a sedan, and not an SUV, with four doors and a sporty design which, in turn, conveys elegance and quality. A brand that Chinese companies have appropriated to compete with brands more established on the international market.

A quick glance at its bodywork reveals details reminiscent of cars from other manufacturers, such as the McLaren 720S due to the shape of the headlights and front end, the Alfa Romeo 8C due to the mirrors, the Porsche Taycan in the sideline. and even the Dodge Charger due to the shape of the backlight. Depending on the version, we find at the top of the roof a small protuberance which hides a LiDAR radar as Volvo already does in its EX90.

The new Xiaomi SU7 is a big car. More precisely, it will measure approximately 4.99 meters long, 1.96 meters wide and only 1.4 meters high. Its weight will be 1,980 kg.

Three versions are expected to be launched on the market: SU7, SU7 Pro and SU7 Max. Each of these configurations will vary the equipment, but should also modify the technical capabilities.

The most accessible variant will only have an electric motor which will deliver 295 hp and reach up to 210 km/h. Meanwhile, variants with dual engines and all-wheel drive can achieve up to 665 hp, in addition to a top speed of 265 km/h.

It has also emerged that Xiaomi’s first electric car will be equipped with original CATL and BYD batteries, depending on the engine. However, when it comes to range, it is still unclear how many kilometers the SU7 will be able to travel on a single charge. The latest information, which has not been confirmed, speaks of a 100 kWh battery and a real range of around 700 kilometers.

Now, when will the Xiaomi SU7 be sold? According to the brand’s plans, manufacturing will begin in December and the first deliveries will take place in China around February 2024. There is little left, of course, but that is not unreasonable, since everything is quite advanced. Indeed, a camouflaged unit has already been seen traveling at more than 200 km/h on a highway in China.