Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Proves Its Worth Against the Model S Plaid
A surprising new electric rivalry is emerging as smartphone giant Xiaomi enters the high-performance car arena to challenge the EV king, Tesla. CarWow’s latest drag race featured the brand-new Xiaomi SU7 Ultra squaring off against the formidable Tesla Model S Plaid, raising the question of whether Tesla’s speed supremacy is finally over.
Wheel Spin Mayhem and Battery BetrayalsÂ
CarWow
The drag race unfolded with cold tires, battery warm-ups, and a barrage of cheeky jabs. Delivered directly from Beijing, the Xiaomi SU7 arrived ready for action, equipped with semi-slick tires. The specifications also favor the SU7, which generates 1,548 horsepower and 1,305 pound-feet of torque compared to the Plaid’s 1,020 horsepower and 1,047 pound-feet of torque.
The beginning wasn’t ideal, with tire slippage hampering the SU7’s takeoff while the Model S Plaid shot forward effortlessly like a sprinting cheetah, securing victory in the opening quarter-mile heat. Once the tires reached optimal temperature for the subsequent run, the Xiaomi electric vehicle demonstrated its true capabilities with an impressive 9.3-second performance, surpassing the Plaid’s previous record of 9.5 seconds.
The next couple of rounds were filled with starts and stutters for the SU7, as alerts like power limits and overheating batteries leading to severe drops in acceleration marred the drag race. Once the Xiaomi EV was fully prepared for the final round without any issues, it surged ahead as soon as the light turned green. Even though it had a choppy boost start, there was enough juice in the Xiaomi EV to outpace the Model S Plaid and win the clincher. The SU7 won the battle with its high-end power delivery, but in the field of consistent performance and quality, the Tesla remains far superior.
Tesla Model S Plaid vs Xiaomi SU7 Ultra: The EV Price Shock
Xiaomi
Tesla
The Tesla Model S Plaid comes with a price tag of approximately $96,630. The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is not officially available in the U.S. market, but it is priced at approximately $72,800 in China. It appears to be an excellent deal, particularly considering it includes carbon-ceramic brakes as standard equipment. However, once you factor in tariffs, shipping costs, and various import charges, the final price could easily climb into Tesla’s price range.
Alternate Hypercars That Would Break the Internet
Lucid Air Sapphire Dave McQuilling/AutoBlog
Consider alternative matchups, such as the Rimac Nevera with its 1,914 hp, capable of achieving an 8.25-second quarter-mile for supreme hypercar performance. Alternatively, one could match the Lucid Air Sapphire, delivering 1,234 hp and a 9.3-second quarter mile. For German precision, the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT produces 1,019 hp with a 2.2-second 0-60 mph time, while its Weissach Package enables a mindboggling 1.9-second acceleration run. However, the possibilities can be extended even further. The Aspark Owl stands out with 2,012 hp and a 1.72-second 0-60 time, which could surpass even the Rimac’s performance.
Our Take on the Drag Race
The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is definitely disrupting the EV elite class by blasting past the Model S Plaid at three-quarters the price. It is armed with high-end features like standard carbon-ceramic brakes. But to say that it is a Tesla killer would be premature. It has issues to iron out, like overheating of the battery and stuttering launches. The Plaid, on the other hand, is all about unflinching acceleration every time.
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