BEIJING: Xiaomi said on Monday that it expects to launch its first SUV, the YU7, next June or July as it ventures deeper into China's competitive auto market.
The Chinese electronics maker announced the launch on Weibo alongside an image of the YU7 parked beside its first electric vehicle, the SU7 sedan, with the two cars sporting similar designs.
Information posted by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology showed the YU7 is a pure electric SUV boasting a top speed of 253kph. The car comes with dual electric motors that produce 508 kW/681hp.
It will be powered by Li-ion batteries (NMC) produced by a unit of China's CATL. Since the YU7 is likely to use the same platform as the SU7, it has been speculated that it will offer a range of over 640km (CLTC cycle) from what is believed to be a 101kWh battery.
Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun said on his Weibo account that the key specifications for the YU7 were disclosed early to allow "more comprehensive and extensive large-scale testing" over an extended period.
Last month, Xiaomi raised its EV delivery target for the third time to 130,000 units this year to meet surging demand.
The smartphone and electronic device maker entered China's crowded EV market in March with the launch of the SU7 series, a Porsche lookalike with a starting price of less than US$30,000 (RM133,000).
In October, the company unveiled a performance variant of the SU7, priced to rival Tesla's Model S Plaid, while touting its performance with a record lap time at Germany's grueling Nurburgring track.
Xiaomi reported a 30.5% jump in its third-quarter revenue this year, surpassing analysts' estimate.
China's car sales grew at its fastest pace since January last month, boosted by government-subsidised auto trade-ins.
