Xiaomi SU7 Ultra’s First Crash: Is This 1,548 HP Performance Beast a Safety Hazard?

While some are still waiting for delivery, others have already crashed. On the afternoon of March 5, accident photos of the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra went viral on Chinese social media. The incident took place in an underground parking lot.

The images show a Lightning Yellow Xiaomi SU7 Ultra with damage to its left front fender and cracks on the headlight cover. The cause of the accident remains unclear.

About the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra

Officially launched on February 27, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra starts at 529,900 RMB (approximately 268,096 AED). It comes equipped with a tri-motor setup—two V8s motors and one V6s motor—producing an astonishing 1,138 kW (1,548 hp). This power allows the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 1.98 seconds, with a top speed of 350 km/h.

From a pricing standpoint, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra offers 1 horsepower for just 342 RMB (about 173 AED), making it one of the most cost-effective high-performance cars in the world. Due to its impressive value, orders for the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra have exceeded 10,000 units, with many Porsche owners in China placing orders for this electric powerhouse.

Is Excessive Power a Safety Hazard?

To put things into perspective, 1,500 hp is comparable to the Bugatti Chiron, which is powered by an 8.0L quad-turbo W16 engine and costs around 9,544,000 AED—an astonishing 36 times the price of the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra.

As electric vehicles become more widespread, high-performance models are becoming increasingly affordable. In China today, consumers can purchase a 1,548 hp Xiaomi SU7 Ultra for 268,096 AED. If their budget is smaller, they can opt for a 428 hp compact electric SUV for under 90,000 AED—a vehicle with acceleration comparable to a Porsche 911.

However, high-power EVs require advanced driving skills. If a driver lacks experience, a more powerful car increases the risk of accidents. The recent Xiaomi SU7 Ultra crash in a parking garage is just one of many incidents involving high-performance electric cars in the past two years. The challenge? Excessive power makes it difficult to control the vehicle at low speeds in tight spaces.

A Chinese consumer was test-driving an electric SUV. Just as they started the vehicle and were about to exit the parking lot, a mishandling error caused the car to crash directly through the parking lot wall. Bricks and debris scattered all over the ground, and the vehicle sustained severe damage. 

The primary cause of the accident was that the customer was driving an electric car for the first time and operated the accelerator pedal based on their experience with fuel-powered vehicles, resulting in excessive acceleration that led to the car breaking through the wall.

Since its launch, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra has faced criticism for having extreme power that may compromise driving safety.

How Does the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Ensure Driver Safety?

In response to safety concerns, Xiaomi Auto released an official statement on March 5, emphasizing the car’s built-in safety measures designed to protect drivers.

Test Drive Requirements

To qualify for a test drive, users must:

• Hold a mainland China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) C-class or higher driver’s license for at least two years.

• If they do not meet this requirement, they can only participate as passengers.

Driving Safety Protection Features

For the first 300 km of driving, the “Driving Safety Protection” feature is mandatory and cannot be disabled. It includes:

• A speed limit of 140 km/h

• Restricted power output

• Boost mode, launch control, and Track Master mode disabled

Unlocking the 1,548 HP Potential

• Drivers must complete a “Driving Safety Precautions” course and pass a safety test.

Using the Full 1,548 HP

• In “Drag Race Mode,” pressing both the accelerator and brake simultaneously activates launch control.

• In “Track Mode,” selecting “Qualification Mode” and pressing the “One-Touch Boost” button unleashes full power.

Warning: “Drag Race Mode” and “Track Mode” must not be used on public roads.

Conclusion

The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra delivers Bugatti Chiron-level performance at an unbelievably low price, making it one of the most accessible ultra-high-performance sedans on the market. However, the democratization of high-horsepower cars raises serious safety concerns.

Xiaomi’s built-in safety features aim to reduce accidents caused by inexperienced drivers struggling to handle extreme power. If widely adopted by other EV manufacturers, such measures could significantly enhance road safety in the high-performance EV era.