Lei Jun: New‑generation Xiaomi (小米) SU7 comes standard with 12 features; Pro CLTC range 902 km

Overview

Xiaomi (小米) founder and CEO Lei Jun (雷军) has confirmed that the new‑generation SU7 will debut on March 19 and that the model will come with 12 standard features across the lineup — including lidar and a beefed‑up driver‑assist suite. It has been reported that pre‑sale prices range from ¥229,900 to ¥309,900, positioning the SU7 as an aggressively priced contender in China’s crowded EV market. Can a phone‑maker turned automaker change the rules of the road? Xiaomi certainly appears to be trying.

Safety, sensors and claimed upgrades

According to company disclosures, the SU7’s standard equipment list includes a laser lidar, 700 TOPS of AD compute, 4D millimetre‑wave radar and the Xiaomi HAD end‑to‑end assisted driving stack — a clear step up from the previous generation. The car reportedly adds a 2,200 MPa strength steel roll cage covering the A‑ to C‑pillars, four‑door anti‑collision beams and nine airbags (including new rear side airbags). It has been reported that chassis protection uses a 1,500 MPa cross beam and a high‑strength protective coating said to boost scratch and tear resistance by 10× and puncture resistance by 13×. Doors gain a three‑fold mechanical redundancy for emergency opening.

Powertrain, range and geopolitical context

Powertrain choices include the V6s Plus motor with 320 hp in the standard model and up to 690 hp in the Max version. All variants use a silicon‑carbide (SiC) high‑voltage architecture — 752V for standard and Pro and 897V for the Max — and it has been reported that CLTC range reaches 720 km for the standard car and 902 km for the Pro. The emphasis on SiC and high‑voltage platforms matters beyond performance: semiconductor supply chains and export controls — particularly US restrictions on advanced chips and EV component technologies — are reshaping how Chinese automakers source power electronics and sensors. Xiaomi’s choices signal both technical ambition and a bet on securing those supply lines.

What this means for the market

Making lidar and advanced sensor suites standard is an uncommon move at this price band and could force competitors to respond. Xiaomi’s EV push blends its consumer electronics playbook with ambitions in autonomy and safety — but will consumers and regulators accept a tech company as a mainstream automaker? Lei Jun’s announcement sets the stage; the answers start arriving when the SU7 goes on sale.