Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Beats Tesla Model S in 2,500-HP Drag Race : Phone Maker vs. Tesla
A new and surprising electric rivalry has emerged as smartphone giant Xiaomi enters the high-performance car arena, challenging the EV king, Tesla. CarWow’s latest drag race featured the brand-new Xiaomi SU7 Ultra squaring off against the formidable Tesla Model S Plaid in a 2,500-HP showdown, packed with wheel spin, overheating, and high drama. The event raised the crucial question of whether Tesla’s long-held speed supremacy is finally coming to an end.
Source : CarWow
Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Proves Its Worth Against the Model S Plaid: Drama on the Drag Strip
The much-anticipated drag race began with cold tires and a series of battery warm-ups, setting the stage for an intense battle. The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, delivered directly from Beijing and equipped with semi-slick tires, arrived with impressive specifications that seemed to favor it:
- Xiaomi SU7 Ultra: 1,548 horsepower and 1,305 pound-feet of torque.
- Tesla Model S Plaid: 1,020 horsepower and 1,047 pound-feet of torque.
The initial run, however, was not ideal for the SU7. Significant tire slippage hampered its takeoff, allowing the Model S Plaid to surge forward effortlessly like a sprinting cheetah, securing victory in the opening quarter-mile heat.
Once the tires reached optimal temperature for the subsequent run, the Xiaomi EV truly demonstrated its capabilities, achieving an impressive 9.3-second quarter-mile performance. This time notably surpassed the Model S Plaid’s previous record of 9.5 seconds, signaling a serious new contender.
The next few rounds were fraught with challenges for the SU7, as alerts for power limits and overheating batteries led to severe drops in acceleration, marring the drag race with stutters. Despite these issues, when the Xiaomi EV was fully prepared for the final round without any hitches, it surged ahead as soon as the light turned green. Even with a somewhat choppy boost start, the Xiaomi EV had enough power to outpace the Model S Plaid and clinch the final victory. While the SU7 won the battle with its high-end power delivery, the Tesla maintained its superior reputation for consistent performance and unwavering quality across repeated runs.
Tesla Model S Plaid vs. Xiaomi SU7 Ultra: The EV Price Shock
Beyond performance, price is another significant factor in this emerging rivalry:
- The Tesla Model S Plaid comes with an approximate price tag of $96,630.
- The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, while not officially available in the U.S. market, is priced at approximately $72,800 in China. This seems like an excellent deal, especially considering it includes carbon-ceramic brakes as standard equipment.
However, if the SU7 Ultra were to be imported to the U.S., factors like tariffs, shipping costs, and various import charges could easily push its final price into the Tesla Model S Plaid’s range.
Alternate Hypercars That Would Break the Internet
For those seeking even more extreme performance, other electric hypercars offer staggering capabilities:
- Rimac Nevera: 1,914 hp, capable of an 8.25-second quarter-mile.
- Lucid Air Sapphire: 1,234 hp, achieving a 9.3-second quarter-mile.
- Porsche Taycan Turbo GT: 1,019 hp, with a 2.2-second 0-60 mph time, and its Weissach Package achieving a mind-boggling 1.9-second acceleration.
- Aspark Owl: Stands out with 2,012 hp and a 1.72-second 0-60 mph time, potentially surpassing even the Rimac’s performance.
Our Take on the Drag Race
The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is undoubtedly disrupting the EV elite class. Its ability to blast past the Model S Plaid at three-quarters of the price, armed with high-end features like standard carbon-ceramic brakes, is impressive. However, it’s premature to call it a “Tesla killer.” The SU7 Ultra still has issues to iron out, such as battery overheating and inconsistent launches. The Model S Plaid, on the other hand, is renowned for its unflinching, repeatable acceleration, every single time. This drag race heralds a new era of competition in the high-performance EV market, with Chinese manufacturers poised to challenge established players.
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