Xiaomi has made a significant mark in motorsports by setting the inaugural autonomous lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The company’s latest high-performance electric SUV, the YU7 GT, completed the notoriously challenging 12.94-mile circuit in 10 minutes and 29.483 seconds without any human input behind the wheel.
The Nürburgring Nordschleife is known for its 73 sharp turns and dramatic elevation changes exceeding 1,000 feet, making it a demanding track for any vehicle. Despite lacking a human driver, the YU7 GT managed to navigate this complex terrain at speeds reaching up to 210 km/h (130 mph) on the back straightaway. This accomplishment was confirmed through an official video posted by the Nürburgring circuit, showing the SUV autonomously handling the entire route.
This autonomous record follows another recent milestone for the YU7 GT at the same venue. In late May, Xiaomi announced the SUV had also set the fastest time for an SUV on the Nordschleife, completing a lap in 7 minutes and 22.755 seconds. This run surpassed the previous record held by the Audi RS Q8 Performance by nearly 14 seconds, demonstrating Xiaomi’s rapid advancements in electric vehicle performance.
Though Xiaomi initially gained international recognition as a smartphone manufacturer, its foray into electric vehicles has been impressive. Earlier, its SU7 Ultra sedan held the fastest EV lap time at Nürburgring for much of the previous year. The YU7 GT features a powerful dual-motor system producing 990 horsepower, accelerating from zero to 60 mph in under three seconds and reaching a top speed of 190 mph.
Furthermore, the YU7 GT includes an autonomous driving system calibrated for public road use. The autonomous lap record likely involved a specialized version of this system tailored for track conditions. This achievement underlines Xiaomi's growing expertise in combining high-speed performance with advanced autonomous technologies in electric vehicles.