Xiaomi News

Xiaomi has revealed more details of its SkyNomad N70 ahead of its Chinese launch, and has detailed export plans as Chinese pre-orders exceed expectations.The N70 is the smaller of two SkyNomad large SUV models from Xiaomi, the tech brand became an automotive sensation thanks to its Porsche-challenging SU7 sedan and YU7 SUV.The new SkyNomad pair serve as the brand’s entrants into the large luxury plug-in hybrid market, which is currently taking the Chinese market by storm. The N70 is a five-seater, while the N90 is a six-seater.Both have flexible seating arrangements, with the middle or, in the case of the N70, front seats able to turn 180-degrees and face the rear creating a living space in the interior, giving the SkyNomad range a point of difference compared to many of their rivals.The new interior images show the fully swivelling front seats in the N70, which combine with a centre console, which transforms into a table, both move on a rail-based system on the interior.The SkyNomad N70 also scores the same dash treatment as the larger N90, with a trendy two-spoke steering wheel and plush materials, although the large centrally-mounted multimedia touchscreen and digital instrument cluster are noticeably restrained compared to the dash-spanning screens of many of this car’s rivals.That having been said, there is a noticeable lack of physical buttons for core functions, with the climate controls clearly screen-based.The N70 is also not as large as its Zeekr 8X rival, measuring in at less than five meters long, with total dimensions at 4690mm long, 1998mm wide and 1765mm tall, making it larger than a traditional mid-size SUV, but not as large as many of the five-meter plus SUVs trendy in China.On the pricing front, it is also more affordable than some rivals, with the N70 Max launch variant announced by the brand to start from the equivalent of A$55,000 (suggesting a retail price if it were to ever arrive in Australia of around $66,000 once the usual 20 per cent cost increase for Chinese cars is added). Xiaomi Auto Vice President Li Xiaoshuang said via the brand’s social media channels that the cars will hit the market in China as soon as September.Both the N70 and N90 are range-extender plug-in hybrids powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a large battery pack. The N70 Max has an EV-sized 76kWh unit, which grants it a pure electric range of 505km according to the more lenient Chinese measuring standards.Xiaomi says this is the longest electric driving range of any range-extended hybrid model. Combined range, with use of the engine, is said to be 1461km, with fuel consumption quoted at 6.1L/100km once the battery is at its reserve level.Xiaomi’s car division has remained a China-exclusive phenomenon, in large part thanks to its success which has seen orders in the hundreds of thousands of units across its growing model range, significantly exceeding its factory capacity. Wait times in China for new orders are still well in excess of a year, yet this hasn’t stopped the company from announcing it is targeting Europe as its first export market as soon as 2027. It has already launched a research and development centre in Munich, Germany ahead of the expected market debut, which is reportedly staffed by many ex-BMW engineers and led by an ex-BMW executive Rudolph Dittrich.As for Australia, a Xiaomi debut in our market is likely to be held back by right-hand drive engineering on top of the brand’s currently limited production capacity. That having been said, our market has proven to be an extremely attractive target for Chinese brands, as it offers relatively high profit margins with a low barrier to entry thanks to the lack of tariff structures and a market accepting of new challenger brands.Companies like Chery, BYD, and Geely have all earmarked Australia as an ideal testing ground for new models ahead of launches elsewhere in the world, while other brands, like Nio, have chosen a Euro-first approach.Xiaomi’s SkyNomad models are set to be finally revealed to the Chinese public at the Chengdu Auto Show from the 21st to the 30th of August.

Xiaomi’s highly-anticipated ultra-luxury SUVs have landed.Skynomad is the smartphone maker’s high-end car sub-brand and will debut with N70 two-row and N90 three-row SUVs in China. The brand will compete in the increasingly popular flagship SUV space, with rivals like the Australia-bound Zeekr 8X and 9X as well as GWM’s Wey V8X and V9X.These luxury Chinese SUVs boast countless outlandish features, and Skynomad is no different, with its interior more like a lounge room than a car cabin.The front seats can swivel around to face the second row, with a table resting on the centre console for playing cards or sharing a meal between passengers.The interior also features a 16.1-inch central touchscreen, an 8.88-inch digital driver display and a TV-like 21.4-inch roof-mounted monitor.The N70 and N90 are powered by range-extender hybrid set-ups.A 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder 112kW engine charges the battery powering the electric motors driving the wheels.The smaller N70 starts with a single rear motor producing 210kW, with a dual-motor all-wheel drive variant adding an extra 100kW. The full-size N90 has two electric motors that combine to produce 310kW as well.Both cars can accelerate from 0-100km/h in under six seconds despite their significant sizes.The cars can be optioned with either a 52kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) or 76kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery.The N70 has a total driving range of up to 1461km, with an electric-only range of 505km, while the N90’s total range is 1705km, with 464km on EV power.These figures are according to the more generous CLTC regime, so don’t expect this efficiency in the real world.DC charging in the N90 from 20 to 80 per cent takes 18 minutes, with the car capable of adding 285km of electric range in just 15 minutes. The N70 is priced from 260,000 yuan (or about $55,000), while the N90 starts from 300,000 yuan (or roughly $63,000) in China.  Chinese cars are usually 20 per cent more expensive in Australia than China, which means they could lob for about $65,000 and $75,000 (before on-road costs) if they ever come here.Xiaomi rose to fame through its SU7 electric sedan that has proved hugely popular in China, while also garnering global attention, including from Ford boss Jim Farley.The brand is scheduled for a European launch in 2027, with arrivals in other markets like Australia not out of the question in the coming years. 

Xiaomi has finally revealed its highly anticipated new SUV sub-brand, SkyNomad, as details of its first model are revealed via regulatory filings.The N90 is 4960mm long, 1998mm wide and 1765mm tall placing it firmly in the large SUV category. It features a seven-seat version to rival to the likes of the GWM Tank 500 and BYD Sealion 8. There is also a five-seat version which could be more of a rival to the hotly anticipated Zeekr 8X that's due in Australia next year.Like the 8X, the SkyNomad N90 is exclusively a plug-in hybrid in contrast to Xiaomi’s previous two fully electric offerings, the SU7 GT and YU7 SUV. It uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 112kW mated to either a single electric motor (210kW) or dual electric motors (210kW rear + 100kW front).Like other recent Chinese hybrid large SUVs, the SkyNomad N90 uses large batteries, either a 52kWh or 76kWh unit for driving ranges of either 270km or 380km respectively to CLTC standards. Fuel consumption with the battery at reserve charge level (a required metric in China) ranges from 5.7L/100km to 6.1L/100km.Off the back of the filing reveals, Xiaomi has shared official images of the new car on its social media and opened a pre-order web portal.Unlike the sporty vibe of the 8X or the off-road focused bent of the GWM range, the SkyNomad N90 instead focuses on lifestyle, featuring a camping edition with a pop-up roof tent as part of its initial approvals.Its styling is also a massive departure from the sleek sporty lines of its SU7 and YU7, moving to a more traditional luxury SUV shape. The only related feature is the DRL strip which cuts through the middle of the front light clusters, while the side profile and rear box light fitting is more in keeping with Chinese luxury SUV trends.Inside it features a plush leather-clad design, and an unusual seating arrangement for three-row versions of 2 + 2 + 3. Images show reversible front seats and a centre console that transforms into a table.While the interior is yet to be fully unveiled, the images also show the usual large central touchscreen and digital dash, with a centre console that features its own touch control panel for middle-row passengers.The camping version, meanwhile, features a projector built into the roof of the boot, and a corresponding screen that unfurls from the roof above the front seats.Regulatory filings also show an array of wheel designs, from high-end 20-inch two-tone versions to a smaller 19-inch design with plastic aero covers.Xiaomi’s auto division has been overwhelmingly successful in China, with the SU7 and YU7 having attracted a massive waiting list as orders have exceeded production capacity by hundreds of thousands of units.As such, export markets have been bottom of the brand’s priority list for the time being. This may not be the case forever, as it invests with its BAIC partner on expanded capacity at new factory units.Even still, the brand has said it has global aspirations at some stage in the future.Stay tuned for more on Xiaomi and its new SkyNomad sub-brand as it nears its official Chinese launch.

China is taking the electric vehicle charging conundrum head-on, and it could change EVs in Australia forever.Popular Chinese carmaker Xiaomi is prepping a ground-breaking new battery charging technology expected to arrive this year.The brand’s home charging robotic arm is scheduled for launch in the fourth quarter of 2026 as the newest innovation in EV infrastructure. It will introduce an autonomous process for owners charging their vehicles at home. The car needs to be parked in position, and the system will do the rest.A robotic arm will insert the charging plug into the car and will automatically disconnect it once the battery reaches a pre-set level of charge or is fully charged. Charging can be initiated remotely using a smartphone app if the vehicle is parked within the robotic arm’s reach. Charging and charging infrastructure remain key roadblocks to mass uptake of EVs globally. Automated charging could be a game-changer, further diversifying ways to charge and improving the convenience of a process much maligned for its inconvenience. We won't see Xiaomi's technology in Australia any time soon, however.Xiaomi has not confirmed Australia as one of its future priority markets yet, as it's expected to first take on Europe.It’s not just Xiaomi that's pushed on with automated charging plans. Several other Chinese brands have shown interest in the technology. Li Auto is said to be actively testing its own auto charging robot, according to CarNews China, while Aito and EV charging infrastructure company Star Charge have also been working on systems. This technology remains a while away from Australia, with China often pioneering such initiatives before pushing it out globally. For example, BYD’s Flash megawatt charging was first introduced extensively in China, but is now due in Australia before the end of this year. Developments such as fast and automated charging are crucial to establishing a stable and reliable EV infrastructure Down Under. The latest sales data showed EV uptake is increasing rapidly in Australia, but charging infrastructure is not keeping pace. “As the number of EVs on the road continues to grow, charging infrastructure must become more of a priority. Continued investment and enabling policy settings will be essential to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with consumer adoption,” Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries Tony Weber said.“Charging infrastructure rollout must accelerate if Australia is to maintain consumer confidence and support continued uptake.”

Chinese electronics company and electric car brand Xiaomi has confirmed a high-performance version of its second model, an electric SUV, will launch this year.The 2026 Xiaomi YU7 GT has already been seen to some extent in Chinese government documents as well as spied testing, but the company confirmed its imminent launch at the Beijing Auto Show at the weekend.The YU7 as a model overall is a rival to the likes of the Tesla Model Y and Zeekr 7X, though the high-performance GT version comes with a series of upgrades that include a 738kW combined output and 300km/h top speed, according to Chinese media.The Xiaomi YU7 GT is set to be unveiled in late May, a report by CarNewsChina says, however photos of the car undisguised testing at the Nurburgring Nordschleife and available snippets of information mean the car’s reveal might only confirm much that’s already known.According to information gleaned from the Chinese Government's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) via media, the YU7 GT is 5015mm long, 2007mm wide, 1597mm wide and sits on a 3000mm wheelbase.It weighs in at 2460kg, but with that 738kW dual-motor drivetrain and all-wheel drive traction, don’t expect it to be slow.In fact, Xiaomi’s testing at the Nurburgring could bear fruit in the form of some impressive lap times, the brand has already set its Xiaomi SU7 Ultra loose at the Green Hell and netted a lap record as the fastest four-door car to do so.The YU7 is set to feature plenty of tech gleaned from this including active air suspension with stability control, high-tech traction control and torque vectoring.According to available information, a CLTC electric driving range of 705km means that a more realistic figure closer to (but likely north of) 500km should be achievable under regular driving.Chinese media is predicting a price point approaching 500,000 yuan, which converts to roughly A$100,000.So far, Xiaomi has no concrete plans for an Australian launch, so don’t expect to see this or any of the brand’s other models here for a couple of years at least.

The Xiaomi SU7 has continued to put up some impressive order numbers over in China, as the extremely popular electric sedan sells out in around half an hour. According to reports, the brand shifted 15,000 units of its updated SU7 in 34 minutes, selling out stock. Australia still remains unlikely to see the SU7 any time soon. It is rumoured the brand will launch in Europe in 2027, with the rest of the world potentially following afterwards.Sales in China indicate it would provide some serious competition for other performance sedans like the Polestar 3 and the Tesla Model 3 Down Under. A deposit of the equivalent of around $1000 had to be put down to secure an order on the new SU7. The performance-oriented EV is priced from roughly the equivalent of A$45,000 in its home market, rising up to more than $60,000 on higher grade models. The SU7 has undergone a substantial revamp for the new model year, including an increased driving range of 750km (WLTP) from its 102kWh battery, courtesy of an improved platform. The tweaks have improved potential charging time, with 15 minutes of charging adding up to 670km of driving range, while a 10-80 per cent charge-up takes 12 minutes. It has also received a more advanced driver assistance suite, with features such as a laser radar and a new speedy AI computing system for autonomous driving functionality. The SU7's electric motor set-up produces some staggering performance numbers, including a 0-100km/h time of roughly three seconds. The Ultra variant of the SU7 has 1138kW and offers a 0-100km/h time of less than two seconds. It is these figures which have seen high-performance brand Ferrari studying the SU7 as it prepares to launch its first electric car. Xiaomi also recently revealed its juiced-up YU7 GT, the performance variant of the brand's even more popular SUV model.It too boasts some big performance numbers, with the Tesla Model Y and Zeekr 7X rival producing up to 738kW, with a top speed of 300km/h.

The Xiaomi YU7 GT electric SUV has just been exposed in China, and it comes with some bonkers performance numbers.

BYD, Chery and GWM might seem like the new-car boogeymen to legacy carmakers, but a quiet giant is muscling up in China.Xiaomi, which is best known for making smartphones, has branched out into electric cars and put the car world on notice. It has a seriously big hit on its hands with the YU7 mid-size SUV.The Tesla Model Y rival was the best-selling passenger car in China during the first month of this year.It reportedly sold almost 38,000 units in January, which was more than double the Tesla Model Y.Xiaomi also smashed big name Chinese brands such as BYD and Geely to take the top spot.This could all be the tip of the iceberg as the brand received more than 400,000 orders just a month after it launched in 2025.The Chinese brand isn’t just content with dominating its home market, but has big plans for global domination.Europe appears to be first up, with Bloomberg reporting it would launch in the continent by 2027.Xiaomi is winning fans around the world, including Ford’s boss Jim Farley.The Blue Oval’s head honcho has gone on the record about how much he loves the Xiaomi SU7 - the sedan version of the YU7.Last year he told the Everything Electric Show: “I don’t like talking about the competition so much, but I drive a Xiaomi. We flew one from Shanghai to Chicago and I’ve been driving it for six months now, and I don’t want to give it up.”Ferrari has been seen benchmarking the high-performance SU7 at its Maranello headquarters ahead of the Prancing Horse’ coming first electric car. A fact no one would have believed a few short years ago.It is easy to see on paper why the YU7 is such a smash hit.In China the YU7 range kicks off with the Standard grade, featuring a single motor powering the rear wheels and producing 235W and 528Nm.The mid-tier Pro brings all-wheel drive and two motors with a combined output of 365kW and 690Nm.Both use a 96.3kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.   Range-topping Max is all-wheel drive and its dual motors up the ante with 508kW and 866Nm. That's enough grunt to throw this SUV from 0 to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds. At its core is a 101kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion battery.

Ford's potential tie-up with hyped Chinese brand reportedly denied.

It’s happening. The first electric vehicles with 1000km of driving range are starting to hatch.What seemed like an out-of-reach fantasy just a few years ago has become reality with auto manufacturers now beginning to launch their next-gen EVs which can out-drive the range of combustion cars. So which brands are doing it and how far can these electric long haulers really go? In January, Chinese carmaker Chery announced that this year it would launch the Exeed Liefeng - one of the world’s first production models with a solid state battery - which would give the electric vehicle a range of 1500km.Solid state has long been the holy grail form of batteries and for the past five years car manufacturers have been on a crusade to find how to cost-effectively use the technology on a large scale for EVs. Chery appears to be one of the first to make it there, but you can bet the rest will follow quickly. Currently the longest-hauling electric vehicles in Australia are the Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor with its 706km range and Tesla’s Model 3 Long Range AWD with 629km. Both use the tried-and-tested lithium ion batteries which have been the go-to for the industry for decades but it appears the limits are being reached.China’s rising star brand Xiaomi is even pushing the lithium ion limits further however, announcing this week that it was taking orders for its new SU7 sedan with a 902km (CLTC) range. While the SU7 uses an 101.7kWh lithium ion battery, the vehicle's new silicon carbide platform in 752V and 897V forms, as well as its aerodynamic performance, has returned improved efficiency.  CLTC is the China Light Duty Vehicle Test Cycle which isn’t as strict as the Worldwide Harmonised Light Duty Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). So 902km equates to about 750km in the real-world.The 1500km range of Chery’s  Exeed Liefeng is likely to be calculated using the CLTC criteria, too, but that is still equal to 1230km WLPT and that’s beyond remarkable, even compared to combustion engines.The distance you can drive on a full tank of petrol depends on the kind of engine you have, the size of the fuel tank, and the type of driving you do.It’s pretty obvious but big engines use more fuel, so do high-performance engines which prioritise output, and stop-start traffic on urban roads uses more than fast moving motorways. New engines are super fuel efficient these days compared to what they were 20 or even 10 years ago and hybridisation with electric motors in all their forms can significantly reduce fuel consumption. In my own testing, large mid-sized SUVs with four-cylinder petrol engines get no more than about 700km from a 60L tank, with the average being about 500km with the mainly urban driving I do. So some electric vehicles you can buy right now have the same range as the equivalent petrol cars. The benefit of petrol though is clearly the speed at which you can refuel and the accessibility with up to 8000 service stations each with multiple pumps in Australia.Charging times have improved greatly but 30 minutes is about average to charge from 10-80 percent with a 150kW DC charger. In Australia there are only about 550 chargers capable of 100kW or more.Solid state batteries not only offer great ranges but super quick charging - 10-80 per cent in about five minutes. It's still slower than filling a 60L tank with petrol, but not much slower.What about hybrids? Hybrids add a lot more range, especially the new generation of "super hybrids" which are the plug-in kind equipped with larger batteries and clever management systems which can do what was unthinkable a few years ago.My current long-term test car is a Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid which has a 18.4kWh battery and a 60-litre petrol tank. A 1.5-litre four cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor drive the front wheels.According to Chery the combined range of the Tiggo Super Hybrid is 1200km with fuel consumption as low as 1.3L/100km.In my first month with the Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid I drove 869km before I needed to refuel, but I did charge it during that time, occasionally. Still, that’s outstanding. If I was to charge it regularly then the 1200km seems absolutely attainable. But regularly means every two to three days, otherwise fuel consumption increases dramatically. That’s inconvenient to say the least if you don’t have a home wall unit.It seems inevitable electric will take the place of petrol and solid state batteries will mean 1000km from a full charge. Ultimately this could mean petrol becomes the new source of range anxiety, as service stations swap fuel pumps for chargers, making 500km on a single tank seem concerning.Before you hop in the comments, understand I’m by no means an EV fan girl. I love the drama that comes with petrol. My own car has a 5.8-litre V8 that I rebuilt myself.However, I truly think most people don’t care what powers their car and if solid state batteries only take a few minutes to charge and you only need to do it once a month then petrol is a goner.