Performance Comparison
Xiaomi has already proven its capability at the Nürburgring, surpassing the best lap times of competitors like the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S. But what happens if you take away the corners? This is exactly what is explored in a new Carwow video, where the top version of the SU7, the Ultra, competes against the Model S Plaid.
Also: Xiaomi’s manager admitted that they bought Teslas and took them apart to learn all their secrets.
Power Advantage
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the situation does not look good for Tesla. We live in a world where even the once-impressive four-figure power output of the Plaid now seems ordinary.
Its 1,006 hp (1,020 PS) and 1,047 lb-ft (1,420 Nm) are inferior to the SU7 Ultra’s figures – 1,527 hp (1,548 PS) and 1,306 lb-ft (1,770 Nm). Although Tesla compensates with a weight advantage of 375 pounds (170 kg), you don’t need to be an expert to understand that it is in a less favorable position.
Launch Drama
However, during the launch, the Plaid repeatedly gets ahead of the SU7. Carwow host Matt Watson has extensive experience launching cars, including traction control, which is especially relevant for the more powerful SU7. Surprisingly, it takes the Xiaomi a long time to start catching up to the Tesla.
But when the SU7 picks up speed, it makes the Plaid look like a car that would hardly overtake a Dacia Spring. Footage from inside the Tesla, with the SU7 swiftly rushing past, is impressive. However, the quarter-mile results turned out to be quite close: 9.3 seconds for the SU7 and 9.5 seconds for the Model S. This is because the Chinese car needs a lot of time to reach its top speed, which could be a problem in normal urban conditions.
Market Specifics
Plaid owners in the US shouldn’t worry, as Xiaomi does not sell its cars in America yet, although European sales are already planned. This is good for Tesla, because in China the Ultra costs approximately $74,300, while the Plaid in the US is almost $100,000.
These results show that the technology race among electric vehicle manufacturers continues to gain momentum. Chinese brands like Xiaomi demonstrate the ability not only to compete but also to surpass traditional leaders in some aspects. However, as seen in the races, power is not the only factor; control and adaptation to different conditions are also important. Future developments will likely focus on improving launch dynamics and efficiency at different stages of movement.