5 Minutes
Lei Jun personally hands over the first YU7 GTs
Chinese tech giant-turned-automaker Xiaomi marked a high-profile moment on May 29, 2026, when founder and CEO Lei Jun — accompanied by brand ambassador and actress Shu Qi — personally handed over the first six YU7 GT electric SUVs to buyers during a live-streamed event in China. Five customers collected vehicles finished in a new Cherry Red paint, while one opted for black. Hosts spoke with each new owner and posed for photos on stage, turning the delivery into a showcase moment for the brand.
Who bought the first YU7 GTs?
Lei Jun later outlined the backgrounds of the inaugural owners: a diverse mix of bank staff, university employees, digital marketers, independent entrepreneurs and senior corporate managers. Xiaomi’s own sales data also highlights surprising buyer traits for the model line — women account for over 30% of owners, and more than half of customers use Apple devices rather than Xiaomi phones, underlining a broader lifestyle appeal.
Where the YU7 GT sits in Xiaomi’s lineup
Positioned at the top of Xiaomi’s premium range, the YU7 GT aims to blend family practicality with true high-performance capability. Pricing starts at RMB 389,900 (about €49,090) for the entry-level GT and climbs to RMB 429,900 (around €54,130) for a fully equipped variant — a pricing strategy that places it squarely against established luxury rivals from both foreign and domestic marques.
Dimensions and design cues
Measuring 5,015 mm long, 2,007 mm wide and 1,597 mm high, the crossover sports long-hood proportions and a low, planted stance. The footprint promises a roomy cabin while preserving sharp, contemporary SUV styling. Designers say the challenge was to combine everyday comfort with the visual drama expected from a performance flagship.
Performance: race-bred power, road-ready comfort
Underpinning the YU7 GT is a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain that generates a headline figure of 990 hp. That output delivers a 0–100 km/h sprint time of 2.92 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 300 km/h. Despite the supercar numbers, the GT was engineered chiefly for daily use — not just the racetrack. Xiaomi balanced outright speed with comfort by adding an active air suspension system and upgrading interior materials and amenities.
Notably, the YU7 GT set a new lap record for the SUV class at Germany’s Nürburgring, showing that engineers succeeded in giving the crossover genuine track chops without compromising street manners.
Brakes, battery and charging
Stopping nearly 1,000 hp requires serious hardware. The GT uses carbon-ceramic brake discs and Akebono calipers — six-piston units up front and four-piston at the rear — allowing a 100–0 km/h braking distance of just 32.9 meters.
Energy comes from a 101.7 kWh ternary lithium (NMC) battery pack. Under the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC), Xiaomi quotes up to 705 km of range on a full charge. Fast-charging capability is equally aggressive: an 897V silicon-carbide high-voltage electrical architecture enables rapid DC charging speeds that can add approximately 570 km of range in about 15 minutes, according to company figures.
Spec highlights
- Powertrain: Dual-motor AWD, peak 990 hp - 0–100 km/h: 2.92 seconds - Top speed: electronically limited to 300 km/h - Battery: 101.7 kWh NMC pack (CLTC up to 705 km) - Fast charge: ~570 km added in 15 minutes (897V SiC platform) - Brakes: Carbon-ceramic discs with Akebono calipers (6-piston front, 4-piston rear) - Dimensions: 5,015 mm L / 2,007 mm W / 1,597 mm H
Market context and strategy
The YU7 GT arrives at a delicate time for Xiaomi’s car division. April retail figures show the standard YU7 sold 9,876 units domestically — a 27.2% month-on-month decline. The high-performance GT is clearly a strategic effort to rekindle enthusiasm, drive showroom traffic and broaden the model’s halo appeal. Building a performance flagship helps Xiaomi create headlines and positions the brand as a credible contender in the premium electric SUV segment.
What this means for buyers and the market
For buyers, the GT offers an uncommon combination: near-supercar acceleration inside a family-sized crossover with luxury fittings and rapid charging. For the market, it signals Xiaomi’s intent to compete not just on value or technology, but on performance credentials and lifestyle positioning.
Whether the YU7 GT will convert browsing interest into sustained sales remains to be seen, but the dramatic handover — led by Lei Jun and amplified by live streaming — has already succeeded in generating buzz. For car enthusiasts and electric-SUV shoppers, Xiaomi’s flagship raises the stakes and adds another compelling option to the increasingly crowded premium EV field.
"The handover was more than a delivery; it was a statement of intent," an industry analyst summarised, speaking on the wider move toward performance-focused EVs that still need to serve everyday drivers.
Expect showroom demos, comparison tests and Nürburgring footage to follow as the YU7 GT begins to reach more drivers over the coming months.
Source: arenaev
Comments
v8rider
Wow Lei Jun handing keys live, total showbiz. 990hp in a family SUV, cherry red deliveries, insane but kinda brilliant. 705 km CLTC and 15min charge? if true, game changer...
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