Key Takeaways
Xiaomi’s upcoming YU7 GT electric SUV has set a new lap record for a production SUV at Germany's Nürburgring Nordschleife, clocking a time of 7 minutes and 34.931 seconds. The achievement places the Chinese electronics company ahead of established European performance brands like Audi and Porsche, signaling a major competitive shift in the high-performance EV market.
"The higher center of gravity typical of SUVs makes it extremely difficult to post an ideal time on this challenging circuit," Lei Jun, Xiaomi's founder, chairman, and CEO, said in a statement acknowledging the achievement.
The YU7 GT’s time shaves nearly two seconds off the previous record of 7:36.698, set by an Audi RS Q8 Performance in 2024. Prior to that, the record was held by the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, which posted a 7:38.925 lap in 2021. The record-setting lap was driven by Xiaomi's chief test driver, Ren Zhoucan, who became the first Chinese driver to receive an official Nürburgring lap certification.
This record serves as a major marketing event ahead of the YU7 GT's official launch in China on May 21. The move is a direct challenge to legacy automakers, demonstrating that a company known primarily for smartphones can compete at the highest levels of automotive engineering. It puts pressure on European brands, some of which have recently pushed back their all-EV targets, to accelerate their own performance EV development.
The record-breaking SUV is not merely a standard model with a software tweak. The YU7 GT is a high-performance variant featuring a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system that produces a combined 738 kW (990 horsepower). It is powered by the new HyperEngine V8S EVO powertrain, which boasts a maximum speed of 28,000 rpm. The vehicle is equipped with a 101.7 kWh battery pack, providing a CLTC range of 705 kilometers, and has a stated top speed of 300 km/h.
The SUV also features the Jialong Chassis Master Edition, which includes dual-valve CDC dampers and dual-chamber air springs, tuned specifically on the Nürburgring. The vehicle measures 5,015 mm in length with a 3,000 mm wheelbase, making it slightly larger than a Ferrari Purosangue. The performance variant is expected to be priced around 400,000 yuan ($58,810).
This is not the first time Xiaomi has used a Nürburgring record to generate buzz. The company employed a similar strategy for its SU7 Ultra sedan, which initially set a record for the fastest four-door car before a production version later claimed a production EV record.
Questions remain about the specifications of the record-setting YU7 GT. Xiaomi noted the vehicle had a "track package" installed, and in-car video suggests the rear seats may have been removed for a roll cage, a standard safety procedure that also reduces weight. If the car was modified in a non-production manner, it’s likely a standard production model will return to set a slightly slower, but officially recognized, production-car lap time.
The record is another data point illustrating the rapid advancement of China's EV industry. While Porsche, Audi, and BMW have spent decades cementing their performance credentials at the Nürburgring, Xiaomi—a company that entered the automotive scene only a few years ago—has now beaten them on their home ground. This comes as Xiaomi EV reported a 71.18% month-over-month jump in deliveries for April, totaling 36,702 vehicles.
The ball is now in the court of the German automakers. Porsche is soon to begin deliveries of its most powerful Cayenne ever, an electric model boasting over 1,100 horsepower. It would be no surprise to see the German brand return to the 'Ring to reclaim the SUV crown, but for now, the title belongs to a smartphone company.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
