Xiaomi surprised everyone and everyone with the announcement of the Xiaomi YU7, its second electric car model after the Xiaomi SU7, and the brand’s first SUV. The surprise was not the announcement itself, since this vehicle was already ‘hunted’ with camouflage on several occasions; What was striking was the moment chosen for the announcement, since it was made through social networks and without a dedicated event.
The irony is that the YU7 has the potential to be even more successful than SU7. For years now, SUVs have risen in sales at the same rate at which sedans and other types of cars have fallen.
Many brands have even completely abandoned the production of ‘traditional’ cars to focus solely on SUVs. So the choice of this type of vehicle as Xiaomi’s second model makes all the sense in the world, and it would not be surprising if reservations broke records again.
Especially if the YU7 is as good as it looks. The first official images released showed a very attractive car, but it was difficult to know to what extent its proportions were inspired by rivals such as the Tesla Model Y or even the Ferrari Purosangue. Now, the first real photographs of the YU7 without camouflage have been published on the Chinese social network Weibo (via Carnewschina) and reveal a more original style.
Oddly enough, in natural light and in a parking lot, the YU7 is even more attractive than in official images. Maybe it’s because in these photos looks more original and less ‘inspired’ by alternatives; especially in the rear. In fact, although originally the YU7 seemed to be based on the SU7, these photos show that it is an original design, with its own headlights and components but maintaining the style released by the SU7.
The Xiaomi YU7 ‘hunted’ in public
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What is more likely is that The YU7 shares parts with the SU7such as the chassis, electric motors or batteries. Registration with the Chinese Ministry of Industry, mandatory for all manufacturers, reveals the use of two motors, a 220 kW front motor and a 288 kW rear motor, for a total of 508 kW (681 horsepower).
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They are enough for the Xiaomi YU7 to reach a maximum speed of 253 km/halthough other aspects of performance such as acceleration have not yet been revealed. The YU7 is expected to be slower than the SU7, as it weighs 2,405kg, but it could also be available in different versions, especially a cheaper single-engine one.
In fact, everything indicates that it was this registration with the government that forced Xiaomi to make public the existence of the YU7 ahead of time and without being able to organize an event like the SU7. However, the YU7 is expected to have its own event at the beginning of the year, where more technical details will be revealed.
