Xiaomi Corp. is set to officially launch its YU7 GT, a high-performance electric SUV with up to 990 horsepower, in late May, intensifying its rivalry with Tesla and other players in the premium EV space. The company released official images of the vehicle in a new "Crimson Red" color, confirming its imminent arrival.
"The XIAOMI YU7 GT physical vehicle will gradually arrive at stores starting tomorrow (16th), covering 268 outlets in 82 cities in China," Lei Jun, founder and chairman of Xiaomi, said on the social media platform Weibo. The vehicle will be officially launched in late May.
The dual-motor YU7 GT boasts a top speed of 300 kilometers per hour and a CLTC-rated range of 705 kilometers. The performance SUV is expected to be priced between 450,000 yuan ($66,320) and 500,000 yuan, placing it in the high-end segment of the market.
The launch comes as Xiaomi seeks to build on the success of its SU7 sedan and revitalize its YU7 lineup. Sales of the standard YU7 model fell 27.2% month-over-month in April to 9,876 units, according to data from the China EV DataTracker. The YU7 GT's performance and premium positioning could be crucial for boosting the model family's appeal and profitability. Shares in Xiaomi (01810.HK) slipped 3.47% on May 15, the day of the announcement.
Xiaomi is making a clear distinction with the "GT" designation, which stands for Gran Turismo. Unlike the SU7 Ultra sedan, which was engineered to achieve top lap times, the YU7 GT is positioned as a powerful yet comfortable vehicle for long-distance travel. The company emphasized that the model strikes a balance between performance, luxury, and range, rather than being a pure track car.
This positioning is supported by its development process, which included extensive chassis tuning at Germany's Nürburgring Nordschleife. Xiaomi said the goal was to ensure stability and premium driving quality during long trips. The vehicle also features a new "Track Red" interior with GT branding, pairing with the "Crimson Red" exterior to highlight its performance credentials.
The YU7 GT enters a fiercely competitive market for electric SUVs in China. While Xiaomi's first EV, the SU7 sedan, saw its deliveries surge to 26,826 units in April, the older YU7 model has seen its sales momentum slow. The standard YU7, launched in June 2025, saw sales fall from 13,558 units in March to 9,876 in April.
The introduction of the high-performance GT variant is a strategic move to capture a more lucrative segment of the market and create a halo effect for the entire YU7 line. By offering a vehicle with near-1,000 horsepower and luxury touring features, Xiaomi is directly challenging established players like Tesla, whose Model X Plaid is a key competitor in the high-performance electric SUV category. The success of the YU7 GT will be a key indicator of whether Xiaomi can translate its brand strength from consumer electronics into the upper echelons of the automotive world.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
