Xiaomi just out-Nürburgringed Audi — and it hasn't even sold the car yet

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The Xiaomi YU7 GT isn't on sale yet, but it has already pulled off something loud: the electric SUV lapped the Nordschleife at the Nürburgring in 7 minutes 34.931 seconds. That's quicker than the previous record set by the Audi RS Q8 Performance — 7:36.698.

Behind the wheel was Xiaomi's chief test driver, Ren Zhoucan. For the Chinese auto industry it's a milestone of its own: he became the first Chinese professional racer to receive an official Nürburgring lap certification. Behind him on the leaderboard now sit not just the Audi RS Q8 Performance but also the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, which managed 7:38.925.

The YU7 GT runs a twin-motor setup producing 738 kW, or 990 hp. Top speed is quoted at 300 km/h and CLTC-rated range at 705 km. The equipment list includes carbon-ceramic brakes, and chassis tuning was handled jointly by Chinese and European engineers. Xiaomi is clearly selling more than just a fast EV here — it's selling the idea of a car that can hold its own against German performance SUVs.

The official Chinese premiere is set for 21 May. The expected price is around 400,000 yuan, or roughly $58,800. That's noticeably more than the base YU7, which started at 253,500 yuan — about $37,300.

Xiaomi has already put YU7 GT display cars in 268 showrooms across 82 Chinese cities. For now buyers can only look at them from the outside, but interior access and test drives are promised once the launch is done. The Nürburgring lap now works as the most expensive billboard money can buy: Xiaomi isn't explaining that it knows how to build fast cars — it's just showing the stopwatch.