Lei Jun shares next‑generation SU7 designer manuscript showing new grille and built‑in 4D millimeter‑wave radar

Design reveal

Lei Jun (雷军), founder of Xiaomi (小米), has shared a designer manuscript for the next‑generation SU7, showcasing a reworked front end with a new air‑intake grille that conceals more than just styling updates. The sketch, posted by Lei Jun and circulated on Chinese tech outlets, highlights a sleeker, more integrated nose treatment that blends aerodynamic intent with functional packaging. Reportedly the drawing also points to a sensor module built into the grille area — a compact solution that keeps the car’s silhouette clean while housing advanced hardware.

Tech, market and geopolitical context

More notably, it has been reported that the SU7’s grille will accommodate a built‑in 4D millimeter‑wave radar, a sensor type that can supply richer spatial and velocity data for advanced driver‑assistance systems (ADAS) than traditional radar. If realized in production, the move would signal Xiaomi Auto’s (小米汽车) intent to marry styling with sensor integration, prioritizing both aesthetic refinement and the high‑resolution perception needed for Level 2+ or higher driving aids.

This update matters beyond design. Chinese EV makers increasingly embed sensors into bodywork to reduce drag and improve appearance while beefing up capabilities amid fierce domestic competition from incumbents such as BYD, NIO and Xpeng. At the same time, geopolitics complicates supply chains: export controls on advanced chips and components from Western suppliers have pushed many Chinese firms to accelerate local development of sensors and processors. Will Xiaomi’s integrated approach give the SU7 an edge in a crowded market? The manuscript offers a hint — but production hardware and supplier choices will determine whether the concept becomes a commercially meaningful advantage.