Lei Jun: Xiaomi (小米) YU7 GT is designed for the era’s elites and will definitely be somewhat pricey

Xiaomi’s pitch: a grand tourer for a new elite

Lei Jun (雷军), founder, chairman and CEO of Xiaomi (小米) and chairman of Kingsoft (金山软件), released a video today framing the forthcoming Xiaomi YU7 GT as a car “designed for the era’s elites” and warning that “the price will definitely be a bit high.” The blunt positioning signals that Xiaomi’s car arm is aiming above mainstream volume EVs and into the rarified territory of high-performance luxury grand tourers—vehicles meant for long-distance speed and comfort rather than bargain urban transport.

Performance claims and in‑house hardware

Xiaomi says the YU7 GT will pack more than 1,000 hp, a 300 km/h top speed and a 705 km CLTC range, and will include carbon‑ceramic brakes “the same as Ultra.” It will also use a new generation V8s EVO motor: Lei Jun said the unit’s peak speed rises to 28,000 rpm, a self‑developed silicon‑carbide (SiC) power module boosts power by 5.9%, and ultra‑thin 0.15 mm silicon‑steel laminations lift efficiency to 98.38%. It has been reported that Xiaomi’s “Jiaolong” chassis master edition was tuned on the Nürburgring (纽北) and that the car’s suspension and safety kit aim to match “million‑yuan” luxury benchmarks. Those claims come from Xiaomi’s own briefings and should be read as company specifications ahead of formal verification.

Pricing, market context and launch plans

How will Xiaomi justify a premium play in an already crowded Chinese EV market that includes BYD, Nio, Xpeng and Li Auto? Lei Jun’s answer is product differentiation: ultra‑performance hardware and bespoke chassis tuning targeted at tech executives and driving enthusiasts. Geopolitically, the push toward in‑house SiC and motor tech also matters: amid tighter export controls on advanced chips and components, vertical integration reduces foreign dependency. Xiaomi plans to unveil pricing and full specs at a May 21 launch event at 19:00, with IT Home set to livestream the reveal. Reportedly, expect a number that positions the YU7 GT as a halo product rather than a mass‑market value play.