Why Was a Xiaomi SU7 Spotted at Ferrari’s Headquarters?
If you happened to be near Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters recently, you might have caught a glimpse of something unexpected: a bright yellow Xiaomi SU7 Ultra sedan, complete with dual silver stripes, rolling out of the gates. Not exactly what you’d expect to see alongside Italy’s finest supercars. So, what’s going on? Turns out, Ferrari is taking a close look at the world’s fastest electric sedan as it prepares to launch its own first-ever EV, the Elettrica, in spring 2026.
Automakers routinely buy or borrow competitors’ vehicles for benchmarking, but seeing Ferrari study a Chinese EV would’ve been unthinkable just five years ago. Times have changed. The electric revolution is here, and even the most storied brands are feeling the pressure to get it right.
What Makes the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra So Interesting to Ferrari?
Let’s talk numbers, because the SU7 Ultra isn’t just another pretty face. This sedan has shattered expectations—and records. With a triple-motor setup delivering a jaw-dropping 1,526 horsepower, the SU7 Ultra rockets from 0 to 62 mph in just 1.98 seconds and tops out at 223 mph. That’s hypercar territory, plain and simple.
But it’s not just about straight-line speed. The SU7 Ultra recently set a production EV lap record at the Nürburgring, clocking a 7:04.957—nearly three seconds faster than the Porsche Taycan Turbo S. For context, only purpose-built electric race cars like Volkswagen’s ID.R and Porsche’s 919 Evo have gone quicker. The message? Chinese EVs are no longer playing catch-up—they’re setting the pace.
Why Would Ferrari Benchmark a Chinese EV?
Ferrari’s expertise in handling and driving dynamics is legendary. But building a high-performance electric vehicle brings fresh challenges, especially in areas like battery thermal management, sustained power delivery, and platform integration. The SU7 Ultra’s ability to maintain blistering performance over a full lap of the Nürburgring suggests Xiaomi has cracked some of these tough engineering puzzles.
It’s also worth noting that Xiaomi’s CEO, Lei Jun, is a known Ferrari fan—he was spotted last year driving a red Purosangue. There’s a certain symmetry in both brands learning from each other, even if they’re worlds apart in heritage.
How Is Ferrari Approaching Its First Electric Car?
Ferrari’s first EV, tentatively named Elettrica, is set for a spring 2026 debut. Insiders suggest it will be a limited-production model, designed to ease loyal customers into the idea of a Ferrari without a combustion engine. The real game-changer will be Ferrari’s second EV, a crossover-style vehicle, but that’s been pushed back to 2028 due to tepid demand in the ultra-luxury electric segment. According to a recent Reuters report, even the world’s wealthiest car buyers aren’t quite ready to give up the roar of a V12.
What Does This Mean for the Future of High-Performance EVs?
The sight of a Xiaomi SU7 Ultra at Maranello is more than just a quirky footnote—it’s a sign of the times. The EV landscape is shifting fast, and the old guard is watching the newcomers closely. Chinese automakers, once dismissed by European brands, are now setting benchmarks that even Ferrari can’t ignore.
For enthusiasts, this is a win-win. Competition breeds innovation, and the next few years promise a wave of electric cars that are faster, smarter, and more thrilling than ever. If Ferrari is willing to learn from Xiaomi, you can bet the Elettrica will be something special.
The big takeaway? Progress in the EV world isn’t about perfection—it’s about smarter adjustments. Start with one change this week, and you’ll likely spot the difference by month’s end.