Xiaomi’s automotive division has officially entered the performance conversation with an impressive Nürburgring achievement. Xiaomi SU7 Ultra production vehicle established a new benchmark for electric vehicles at the legendary German circuit, clocking 7:04.957 around the 12.9-mile Nordschleife.
This milestone represents Xiaomi’s first major statement in the competitive automotive space, positioning the tech giant directly against established manufacturers who’ve spent years perfecting their track capabilities.
The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra’s performance puts it ahead of several notable competitors in the production EV category. Previously, Porsche held the crown with its Taycan Turbo GT achieving 7:07.55 seconds in September 2023.
Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s founder and CEO, shared unedited footage from the record attempt via the company’s official Weibo account. First-person perspective video captures professional driver Vincent Radermecker navigating the challenging circuit while demonstrating the vehicle’s capabilities.
What’s particularly striking about this achievement? In-car footage suggests there’s still room for improvement, with observers noting potential time savings of up to 5 seconds could bring lap times into the 6-minute range.
The Nürburgring has become the unofficial battleground for EV manufacturers seeking to prove their performance credentials. Each manufacturer’s attempt builds upon previous records, creating an escalating competition that drives innovation.
Porsche established the initial benchmark in August 2019 when the Taycan Turbo completed the circuit in 7:42 seconds. Tesla responded in September 2021 with the Model S Plaid, shaving nearly 7 seconds off that time at 7:35.579 seconds.
The German manufacturer quickly reclaimed its position in April 2022, with the Taycan Turbo S achieving 7 minutes 33.35 seconds. Back-and-forth competition continued until Porsche’s Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package set what seemed like a formidable benchmark at 7:07.55 seconds.
Rather than treating this as a one-time achievement, Xiaomi has announced plans for sustained engagement with the circuit. Lei Jun emphasized the company’s commitment to maintaining a presence at what he described as “the pinnacle of global automotive competition.”
The record attempt utilized a production-spec SU7 Ultra equipped with a track-specific performance package.
Professional driver Vincent Radermecker’s involvement adds credibility to the attempt, though Lei Jun noted there’s room for the driver to become more familiar with the vehicle. Suggests future attempts could yield even better results as both car and driver optimization continues.
Xiaomi’s achievement arrives at a crucial time for the EV industry. As traditional automotive manufacturers face increasing pressure from tech companies entering the space, performance benchmarks like Nürburgring times become important differentiators.
Xiaomi’s Nürburgring achievement proves the company isn’t just playing around with automotive technology – they’re seriously ultracompetitive in the performance space.
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