This self-driving Xiaomi YU7 GT just lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 10:29.483.
While Xiaomi is no stranger to the Nürburgring these days, it has nevertheless just set one of the strangest records ever seen at the Green Hell. Such is as one of its YU7 GT SUVs has just completed a full lap of the infamous Nordschleife in 10:29.483… with absolutely nobody behind the wheel.
Yes, you read that right. The consumer electronics giant has become the first automaker to officially record an autonomous lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife. And while the 10 minutes and 29.483 seconds achieved here is some three minutes slower than the outright SUV lap record of 7:22.755 — incidentally held by the same YU7 GT — it is nevertheless still mighty impressive that the tech can even navigate the full 20.83 km circuit without incident at all (which is admittedly not something every human driver can claim either).
Now, Xiaomi has yet to reveal whether the record-setting car featured additional computing hardware beyond what is fitted to the standard production YU7 GT. Though given that this autonomous SUV tackled much of the circuit at between 140 km/h and 150 km/h, while peaking at 210 km/h on the back straight, it is perhaps likely that at least some software tweaks were made to allow it to operate at such speeds.
That said, Xiaomi has already stuffed an impressive amount of technology into its flagship performance SUV. The YU7 GT’s autonomous driving system is powered by Nvidia’s Drive AGX Thor processor, capable of delivering up to 700 TOPS of computing performance. This works alongside an extensive sensor suite comprising LiDAR, millimetre-wave radar, 12 ultrasonic sensors, 12 exterior cameras, a high-precision positioning system and a dedicated road surface perception system.
As for the YU7 GT itself meanwhile, there is certainly no shortage of performance on offer as well. Power comes courtesy of a dual-motor electric drivetrain producing a staggering 1,003 hp and 1,068 Nm of torque. The result is a 0-100 km/h sprint time of just 2.92 seconds, before the SUV eventually tops out at 300 km/h.
Those 1,003 horses are fed by a substantial 101.7 kWh NMC battery pack, which delivers a claimed CLTC range of up to 705 km (though probably rather less when lapping the Nürburgring flat-out). Operating on Xiaomi’s advanced 897-volt electrical architecture, it also supports ultra-fast 5C charging, allowing for a 10-80% top-up in just 12 minutes, or enough juice to add up to 570 km of range after only 15 minutes plugged in.
Further enhancing the YU7 GT’s sporty credentials are an electronic rear limited-slip differential, Akebono carbon ceramic brakes with six-piston front callipers, and dual-valve adaptive dampers paired with a dual-chamber air suspension system. More aggressive wheel arch flares, a prominent tailgate spoiler, a massive active rear diffuser and various carbon fibre exterior accents meanwhile ensure that everyone knows this is the hot Xiaomi. And just for those really keen to show off, buyers can even specify optional exterior badging crafted from carbon fibre and 24-karat gold.
As for pricing, the YU7 range starts from 389,900 yuan (RM 240,000) in its home market, while this range-topping GT commands around 430,000 yuan (RM 265,000).
