Does Xiaomi YU7 EV Pay Homage To The Petrol-Powered Ferrari Purosangue?

Within hours of revealing the Redmi Note 14 series in India, Xiaomi’s Chinese arm pulled the curtains off its first electric SUV. Don’t worry, it is not a collaboration with Ferrari.

Thanks to Xiaomi's early social media teaser and a bunch of China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) regulatory listings, the vehicle renders have been revealed and if Xiaomi were to bring this to India, Delhi’s Karol Bagh modifications market would be importing lots of duplicate Ferrari accessories and auto kits.

The Xiaomi YU7 is the brand’s first attempt at doing an electric SUV and based on what we see, it seems like the Xiaomi cars are going to wear a familiar family look. While the SU7, which is weirdly not the SUV but the sedan, took inspiration from Tesla’s Model 3 and McLaren 720S’ front fascia, the YU7 seems to have taken inspiration from Italy’s premiere automaker proudly flaunting the pressing horse logo. 

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Xiaomu YU7 takes on Tesla’s Model Y

The Xiaomi YU7 front fascia remains largely unchanged from the SU7 sedan, featuring the same McLaren-inspired headlamps and the low-slung nose. However, start moving around and you are bound to see strong references to the Ferrari Purosangue, the Italian marque’s hybrid SUV. 

The coupe-like side profile with frameless doors and a stubby rear are reminiscent of the Purosangue’s desirable shape. An air scoop-styled sensor mount and a small rear wing coupled with the large wheels (most likely 21 inches) seem to make this electric SUV tailored for light off-road work and not an electric G-Wagen rival. 

No photos of the interiors have been shared on the listings yet but we have some idea about the powertrains. 

Similar to the SU7, the YU7 will be available in two powertrain configurations. There will be one model with a 220 kW powertrain and another one with a 288 kW powertrain. Xiaomi will be relying on a dual motor configuration and once again, the battery will be supplied by CATL. Although the motor specifications are yet to be revealed, the listing reveals that the YU7 can do top speeds of 253 kph.

The vehicle’s wheelbase has been registered at 3,000 mm and without any occupants, it will weigh 2,405 kg!

Since the regulatory listings are out, we expect Xiaomi's auto division to announce the YU7 by mid-2025. The electric SUV will be challenging the Tesla Model Y along with a plethora of homegrown compact electric SUVs. What remains to be seen is how Xiaomi goes about pricing the YU7, especially when the SU7 sedan is pulling good sales figures in the crowded electric sedan space.

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Should Xiaomi bring the YU7 to India?

Despite the obvious references to the Ferrari SUV, the YU7 (we still think Xiaomi should have called this the SU7) should help the brand venture into the mushrooming Indian EV sector to enhance the competition despite other Chinese banners like BYD and MG making huge strides in the segment. With Indian brands like Mahindra and Tata Motors stepping up the game in the sub-INR 30 lakhs segment, Xiaomi could use the YU7 to find inroads into the SUV-loving Indian auto segment and establish itself as a premium electric vehicle manufacturer. 

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