Xiaomi’s Bold Leap into Virtual Racing with SU7 Ultra
Chinese tech giant Xiaomi is making a significant entry into the realm of high-performance racing—virtually. The company has unveiled a groundbreaking partnership with Polyphony Digital, the creators behind Gran Turismo, to introduce its flagship electric vehicle, the SU7 Ultra, into Gran Turismo 7 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. This marks the debut of a Xiaomi vehicle in this globally acclaimed racing simulator.
Xiaomi and Polyphony Digital Collaboration
The partnership was announced during Round One of the Gran Turismo World Series 2025. As stated by Xiaomi, the addition of the SU7 Ultra demonstrates the brand’s emergence as a serious player in the luxury EV segment and provides an excellent opportunity to display its engineering capabilities on a global platform.
A Memorable Visit to Xiaomi’s EV Factory
Kazunori Yamauchi, the creator of Gran Turismo, visited Xiaomi’s electric vehicle factory in Beijing last month, where he experienced an immersive test drive of the SU7 Ultra. He expressed his excitement by stating that he is thrilled to initiate this partnership with Xiaomi. The SU7 Ultra Prototype has exceeded traditional performance benchmarks at the Nürburgring, and witnessing these accomplishments has profoundly impressed him. He remarked on Xiaomi’s courage, curiosity, passion, and unwavering commitment to achieving such milestones, which aligns closely with the philosophies of Gran Turismo and Polyphony Digital.
Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s Founder and CEO, mirrored these sentiments, affirming that Xiaomi resonates deeply with Mr. Yamauchi’s visionary outlook on enhancing society through technology. This vision aligns seamlessly with Xiaomi’s mission to enable everyone globally to experience a better life through accessible and innovative technology.
Features of the SU7 Ultra
The SU7 Ultra is not just any vehicle. Equipped with Xiaomi’s proprietary HyperEngine V8s tri-motor system, this car delivers an impressive 1,548 PS of power, can reach a top speed of over 350 km/h, and boasts a rapid 0–100 km/h acceleration time of just 1.98 seconds. Xiaomi has rigorously tested its high-performance electric vehicles at the Nürburgring, utilising data from track performance to refine real-world driving dynamics.
Commitment to Excellence in Performance
According to Zhoucan Ren, Xiaomi EV’s Chief Test Driver and Head of Vehicle Dynamics Development, the team will maintain a consistent presence at the Nürburgring to continuously enhance their products and expand the limits of what is achievable in high-performance luxury vehicles.
A Future in Virtual Motorsport
In addition to this initial introduction, Xiaomi and Polyphony Digital have disclosed plans to co-create a Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo concept car, solidifying Xiaomi’s enduring presence in the virtual motorsport arena.
Integrating Technology with Lifestyle
This move also aligns with Xiaomi’s comprehensive “Human × Car × Home” strategy, which integrates smartphones, home appliances, and now electric vehicles into a cohesive ecosystem. Since the launch of its EV division in 2024, Xiaomi has been intensifying its efforts to compete beyond consumer electronics, venturing into the mobility sector.
The SU7 Ultra will soon be available to Gran Turismo players across the globe.
