Achievement to be marked with launch of limited edition, track focused SU7 Ultra Nurburgring Edition
The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Prototype is now officially the third fastest car ever around the Nürburgring Nordschleife after setting a time of 6’22″091, smashing its own previous best time by a full 24 seconds.
As such, the Ultra Prototype now sits behind only the Porsche 919 Hybrid, an LMP1 hybrid racing car and fastest of all around the 20.8km circuit, and the Volkswagen ID.R, current holder of the electric prototype lap record with a time of 6’05″33.
The news comes on the back of Xiaomi’s recent announcement that the production version of the SU7 Ultra has become the fastest production electric car around the famous circuit, surpassing the Rimac Nevera, with a lap time of 7’04″957.
To celebrate, the fledgling EV maker has launched a Nurburgring Limited Edition version of the SU7 Ultra that features a full suite of track-focused improvements for RMB 814,900 (£82,800 / $113,600).
Steered by British endurance racer, David Pittard, winner of the 2023 Nurburgring 24 Hours at the wheel of a Ferrari 296 GT3, the Ultra Prototype underscored its name in automotive folklore, adding further gloss to the title it already held of the fastest Chinese car around the Nurburgring.
In doing so, it edged the heavily modified, fully electric Lotus Evija X hypercar off the final podium step, and moved ominously closer to the Volkswagen ID.R, which holds the record for the fastest lap up Pikes Peak.
Both of these rivals are very clearly sports cars in the traditional sense, the ID.R over 2.3-metres wide and taking the form of a Le Mans LMP1 racer, and the Evija X a classic two-seater sports car based on the production Evija, all of which seeks only to underline the impressiveness of the result with the SU7 Ultra Prototype being based on a four-door saloon body.
In recognition, turn 12 of the historical track, the heavy braking sharp 90-degree right hander at the end of a long, high-speed left curve, formerly known as Arenburg, will now be called Xiaomi Curve.
Marking the result for the brand, Xiaomi has launched both an official track package, the same one used on the production car’s lap record, and a Nurburgring Limited Edition with additional sporty elements.
The Nurburgring Limited Edition, of which only 100 units will be produced, features custom high-performance Sparco carbon fibre bucket seats complete with competition-grade 6-point Sparco harnesses.
The rear seats make way for a steel half-roll cage, painted in the Ultra’s distinctive yellow colour, to boost torsional rigidity and safety in equal measure, while a special plaque and Ultra decals add superficial cosmetic improvements.
In addition, numerous performance improvements are included, such as a carbon fibre aerodynamic underbody panel, usable only on track, a carbon fibre dual-vent bonnet, carbon fibre mirrors and skirts, a carbon fibre interior package, with scuff plates and trim, and a carbon fibre rear spoiler.
Those who have already paid for a standard Ultra can opt to purchase a Track Package for RMB 100,000 (£10,200 / $14,000), which brings a plethora of performance-enhancing equipment to lift the Ultra’s track capabilities.
Bilstein EVO R height-adjustable coilovers replace the standard Ultra’s air suspension, giving a more focused ride quality that can be customised to the circuit as required.
In addition, ENDLESS high-performance brake pads provide extra stopping power and greater temperature tolerance under load to fit the greater demands of circuit driving, while sharp 21-inch U-shaped forged wheels are shod in Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS semi-slick tyres for extra grip with free replacements from Xiaomi.
Weight saving measures include a 1.7m2. carbon fibre roof in place of the standard glass roof, and carbon fibre rear arches.
The standard SU7 Ultra features a tri-motor set-up producing 1138kW of total output, courtesy of a 288kW Xiaomi V6s motor on the front axle, and twin 450kW Xiaomi V8s motors on the rear axle, and boasting a total 1770Nm of torque.
It’ll sprint from 0-100kph in just 1.98 seconds without rollout, and sprint onto a top speed of 350kph, hitting 200kph in 5.86 seconds, and 300kph in just 9.23 seconds.
Power is delivered in stages with the full power only available in Drag Mode, or in Qualifying Mode together with the Boost button.
A 93.kWh CATL Qilin II battery means the SU7 Ultra can still achieve a more than respectable 630km of range on the CLTC cycle.
