Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi is set to introduce its fastest electric vehicle, the SU7 Ultra, to the South African market in the coming months.

While the company has yet to confirm an exact launch date or pricing, the high-performance model is already turning heads internationally.

The SU7 Ultra has outpaced some of the world’s most renowned EVs, including Tesla’s Model S Plaid and the Rimac Nevera.

It features a 94 kWh battery capable of delivering up to 630 km of range, with ultra-fast charging from 10% to 80% in just 11 minutes at 490 kW. Internationally, the model starts at about $114,000 (R2.1 million), while the entry-level SU7 Standard is priced at roughly $30,400 (R560,000).

Xiaomi’s EV track record is limited but impactful. Earlier this year, its YU7 SUV attracted 200,000 pre-orders within three minutes of launch, underscoring the brand’s growing influence in the automotive sector. The company has not yet indicated whether the YU7 will also enter the South African market.

The arrival of the SU7 Ultra adds to South Africa’s expanding roster of electric vehicles. Premium German brands such as BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo currently dominate the high-end segment, while Chinese automakers BYD, Chery, Great Wall Motor, GAC, BAIC, and soon Changan are rapidly increasing their presence. Stellantis is set to launch Leapmotor EVs in September 2025.

With Tesla absent from South Africa and Chinese brands gaining momentum, the SU7 Ultra could make a bold statement in the local market, testing whether South African buyers are ready to invest heavily in performance-focused EVs.