Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Shattered Rimac's Nurburgring Lap Record
Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Shattered Rimac's Nurburgring Lap Record originally appeared on Autoblog.
Chinese electric cars have been on the lips of Western automaking rivals for quite some time. The rise of companies like BYD, Zeekr, and NIO has put the auto market on watch in recent years for their low-priced cars loaded with extensive tech and luxury features.
However, one company that stood out as the odd one was consumer electronics giant Xiaomi. The company, known for its smartphones and wearables, launched its first car in March 2024—a $30,000 supercar-styled electric sports sedan called the SU7. Throughout 2024, the SU7 became one of China's hot-selling vehicles, delivering more than 135,000 units last year, including one used by Ford CEO Jim Farley, who admitted he 'couldn't give it up' during an October 2024 podcast appearance.
The success of the SU7 has led the tech giant to go all-in on a high-performance version called the Ultra. Last October, the company published a video showing a stripped-down, race-ready SU7 Ultra prototype lapping the Nürburgring in just 6 minutes and 46.8 seconds, faster than more expensive EVs like the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and even the multi-million dollar Rimac Nevera.
Although Xiaomi recorded 3,680 pre-orders in just 10 minutes when the website opened on October 29 last year, unfortunately, the SU7 Ultra that consumers got was far less racecar-like than the prototype that lapped the Ring. It featured Alcantara-trimmed seats and far less aggressive aerodynamics, including a prominent rear wing, a functional front splitter, and enlarged air intakes for the car's upgraded cooling package.
However, in a new video released by Xiaomi on its social media channels, the consumer-grade, production version of the SU7 Ultra shattered Nurburgring lap records by securing the title of fastest production EV to lap the Green Hell, posting a verified lap time of 7:04.957.
Although the production SU7 Ultra's lap time is approximately 18 seconds slower than the stripped-down, race-ready prototype, it still outperformed some more prestigious and expensive rivals. The $74,000 SU7 Ultra's flying lap not only surpassed the $231,100 Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, which recorded a time of 7:07.55, but it also beat the multi-million dollar Rimac Nevera, which previously held the production car lap record with a time of 7:05.298.
According to Xiaomi, the SU7 Ultra is powered by a trio of electric motors producing 1,526 horsepower. The automaker claims that the SU7 Ultra can go from 0 to 60 in just 1.98 seconds and has a top speed of 217 miles per hour. In the video of the record lap, the SU7 is shown reaching 345 km/h, or 214 mph, on the long straight before the final corner of the Nordschleife.
In a translated post on Weibo, Xiaomi founder, chairman, and CEO Lei Jun noted that the car used in the video was piloted by Vincent Radermecker and used the optional 'professional track package.' According to the Xiaomi website, the optional package includes a smattering of racing-grade goodies from a lion's den of aftermarket suppliers, including Bilstein EVO R coilover shock absorbers specially developed for the Ultra, ENDLESS high-performance brake pads, Pirelli P ZERO fifth-generation high-performance tires, an additional set of Pirelli P ZERO TROFEO RS semi-slick tires, as well as 21-inch U-shaped forged wheel hubs, carbon fiber rear wheel arches, and a carbon fiber roof.
In his post on Chinese social media, the Xiaomi figurehead noted that this won't be the last time the SU7 Ultra will post a Ring time. 'I believe that this record will be broken in the near future,' Jun said, translated from Chinese. 'We will stay in the Nürburgring for a long time, and make progress together with the world's top peers in the pinnacle of the global automotive industry!'
Although Xiaomi's time is a far cry from the Mercedes-AMG One's record for the fastest production vehicle of 6 minutes and 29 seconds, it really shows that a country that has been written off as making low-quality, disposable things in general has the capability to disrupt, and as what we seen so far, they are doing more than just knocking down doors and walls; they're building a new house on the old lot. It will be very interesting to see if a rebuttal in the form of a potentially faster car will emerge from any of the Western 'old guard.' Tesla, Porsche, Rimac, the ball is in your court.
Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Shattered Rimac's Nurburgring Lap Record first appeared on Autoblog on Jun 11, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ford CEO says rare earths shortage forced it to halt production
Ford CEO Jim Farley said that a rare earth minerals shortage is hurting production and caused the automaker to temporarily shut down one of its plants last month, according to an interview with Bloomberg TV. Rare earth minerals, which are a set of 17 metallic elements, are integral to automobile production, and enable features like windshield wipers, seat belts and speakers to function. About 90% of the U.S.'s rare earth minerals come from China, the world's largest producer of rare earths, according to data from the Geological Survey. China has leveraged its grip on rare earths and their widespread utility amid a trade war with the U.S. In April, Beijing announced greater export controls on the materials — a sticking point in tariff negotiations — along with other retaliatory trade measures. The controls require businesses to apply for a license to export rare earths, which U.S. automakers say they have been struggling to secure. Earlier this week, on June 11, following two days of discussions in London, U.S. and Chinese negotiators struck an agreement under which Beijing would resume regular exports of rare earths to the U.S. "The centrality of rare earth export restrictions to the trade deal underscores the criticality of minerals to the U.S. economy as well as the severity of the chokehold Beijing holds on global supply chains," policy experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies wrote in a research note. "Hand-to-mouth" Farley said the slowing flow of the critical minerals into the U.S. has presented a challenge for Ford. "It's day to day," he told Bloomberg TV Friday. "We have had to shut down factories. It's hand-to-mouth right now." Ford did not immediately respond to CBS MoneyWatch's request for comment. Ford Chief Financial Officer Sherry House addressed disruptions caused by new restrictions on rare earth minerals from China at a June conference. "There are many components that rare earth minerals are in. And any of those that are coming from China require you to now go through export control," she said. "And so there's an additional layer of administrative process that has to happen." The process isn't reliable, she added, noting that sometimes it goes "really smoothly," while other times applications are not approved quickly. "Most frequently, it goes through; it just may take more time," she said. For now, Ford is able to manage the cumbersome process, House said, but added that it has the potential to become a "larger issue for us." Farley also told the outlet that he is optimistic about the developments in trade talks between the U.S. and China, and hopes that rare earth supply constraints will ease soon. He added that Ford is awaiting approval of applications with China's Ministry of Commerce to export more rare earths. "We have applications into MOFCOM and they are being approved one at a time," Farley told Bloomberg TV. Video shows Air India plane crashing in Ahmedabad Air India plane crashes shortly after takeoff, carrying more than 240 people Israel ready to launch operation into Iran, U.S. officials say
CBS News
6 hours ago
- CBS News
Ford CEO says rare earths shortage forced it to shut factory
What is samarium, the rare earth element at the center of U.S.-China trade talks? Ford CEO Jim Farley said that a rare earth minerals shortage is hurting production and caused the automaker to temporarily shut down one of its plants last month, according to an interview with Bloomberg TV. Rare earth minerals, which are a set of 17 metallic elements, are integral to automobile production, and enable features like windshield wipers, seat belts and speakers to function. About 90% of the U.S.'s rare earth minerals come from China, the world's largest producer of rare earths, according to data from the Geological Survey. China has leveraged its grip on rare earths and their widespread utility amid a trade war with the U.S. In April, Beijing announced greater export controls on the materials — a sticking point in tariff negotiations — along with other retaliatory trade measures. The controls require businesses to apply for a license to export rare earths, which U.S. automakers say they have been struggling to secure. Earlier this week, on June 11, following two days of discussions in London, U.S. and Chinese negotiators struck an agreement under which Beijing would resume regular exports of rare earths to the U.S. "The centrality of rare earth export restrictions to the trade deal underscores the criticality of minerals to the U.S. economy as well as the severity of the chokehold Beijing holds on global supply chains," policy experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies wrote in a research note. "Hand-to-mouth" Farley said the slowing flow of the critical minerals into the U.S. has presented a challenge for Ford. "It's day to day," he told Bloomberg TV Friday. "We have had to shut down factories. It's hand-to-mouth right now." Ford did not immediately respond to CBS MoneyWatch's request for comment. Ford CFO Sherry House addressed disruptions caused by new restrictions on rare earth minerals from China at a June conference. "There are many components that rare earth minerals are in. And any of those that are coming from China require you to now go through export control," she said. "And so there's an additional layer of administrative process that has to happen." The process isn't reliable, she added, noting that sometimes it goes "really smoothly," while other times applications are not approved quickly. "Most frequently, it goes through; it just may take more time," she said. For now, Ford is able to manage the cumbersome process, House said, but added that it has the potential to become a "larger issue for us." Farley also told the outlet that he is optimistic about the developments in trade talks between the U.S. and China, and hopes that rare earth supply constraints will ease soon. He added that Ford is awaiting approval of applications with China's Ministry of Commerce to export more rare earths. "We have applications into MOFCOM and they are being approved one at a time," Farley told Bloomberg TV.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fake EV Parts are Flooding the Market
Fake EV Parts are Flooding the Market originally appeared on Autoblog. In 2025, the second-hand electric vehicle (EV) market is booming—and so is a shadow industry of questionable and even deadly replacement parts. Online marketplaces like eBay have seen continuing increases in listings for 'OEM Compatible' EV battery modules, many priced well below manufacturer-direct offerings. notes a 58.5% increase in used battery electric car sales in Q1 2025 versus the previous year. But as any experienced mechanic will tell you, today's garage is increasingly a battleground between authentic engineering and a flood of dubious imports. And what you don't want is a dubious import that causes a fire so hot that even the fire department can't put out. Let's say the owner of an out-of-warranty Tesla Model Y, hoping to save money, takes their car to an independent garage. The shop sources a replacement battery module online, advertised as 'authentic.' After installation, the vehicle runs fine—until a 'check battery' warning appears within 50 miles. The issue? Counterfeit EV battery modules—often assembled with mismatched cells and unstable firmware—are prone to early failures and 'check battery' warnings within a short distance after installation. Counterfeit battery modules and ECUs (Electronic Control Units) are a growing concern in the aftermarket repair ecosystem. Genuine Tesla battery modules, for instance, a Model 3 battery pack can cost $20-28,000. On platforms like eBay and Alibaba, however, 'OEM Compatible' modules have been seen for $1,200–$1,500, appealing to cost-conscious garages and DIY-ers alike. While some listings may involve refurbished OEM parts, many are knock-offs assembled with unvetted lithium-ion cells. Low-cost counterfeit batteries often use substandard cells lacking safety features (such as CID, a device that prevent those 1,000° C thermal runaway fires), poor assembly quality, and no assured firmware integrity. Independent garages, many of which operate on thin margins, are particularly vulnerable. Tempted by low prices and fast availability, some install these modules without realizing the hidden risks: shorted cells, BMS (battery management system) errors, or safety-critical software bugs. The consequences are predictable—failed repairs, unhappy customers, dangerous results, and reputational damage. Some garages now invest in battery module diagnostic tools and electronic authentication systems, but these technologies often cost upwards of a thousand dollars and require upskilling staff to use effectively. The authentication systems alone often require subscriptions or specialized hardware costing thousands. So, many garages just don't. This crisis persists largely because regulation has yet to catch up with the pace of EV adoption. Right-to-repair laws in many U.S. states remain narrow in scope, and proprietary software remains tightly controlled by OEMs. Tesla, for example, encrypts most of its BMS and drivetrain software, blocking third-party access without official licensing, and VIN-locks its part so you can only use new Tesla parts. Contravening both warranty and anti-trust laws, this imbalance limits the ability of independent garages to source and verify authentic parts, creating fertile ground for black-market sellers. As EVs age and warranties expire, the temptation to cut corners will grow. Without urgent action to expand parts access, enforce marketplace accountability, and educate consumers, counterfeit components will increasingly undermine EV safety and reliability at scale. Until then, the best advice remains timeless: if a part's price seems too good to be true, it probably is. In the whirlwind world of EV repairs, authenticity should not be a luxury. It's a prerequisite for safety, performance, and peace of mind. Make sure your mechanic can guarantee authentic parts; stay involved. The very best way to counter counterfeiters, of course, is make sure brands don't do things like VIN-lock parts, or void warranties for using spare parts. Brands need to get on board, free up control, to push the counterfeiters out of business. Fake EV Parts are Flooding the Market first appeared on Autoblog on Jun 13, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
