All posts by Francis Mitterrand

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Xiaomi increases production of SU7

After unveiling its first car, the SU7, Xiaomi enthusiastically announced a plan to produce 100k cars in 2024, but the latest information suggests that the number could be even higher. According to information from the company, due to the increased demand for this model, the Chinese tech giant intends to increase the annual production of SU7 by 20% (120,000 cars).

The demand for SU7 exceeds all expectations. The car is produced in the Super Factory in Beijing, which has a production capacity of 47 cars per hour (one car every 76 seconds). From June, the factory will work according to the double shift model, which will increase the production time from 8 to 16 hours a day. In this way, the monthly production capacity will increase to almost 20,000 cars. Since the end of April, Xiaomi has received over 80k reservations, and so far in May, 7,058 units have been shipped. Xiaomi has so far delivered more than 10,000 units of this model.

SU7 comes in three versions: SU7, SU7 Pro and SU7 Max. The standard version is powered by an electric motor with 299 hp (220 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque, and will have RWD. It accelerates from 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.28 seconds with a top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph). It is equipped with a BYD Blade 73.6 kWh battery that provides a range of 700 kilometers. It costs $29,900.

The more powerful version of the SU7 Pro is equipped with an 800V architecture, a 94.3 kWh battery that provides a range of 830 km, and will cost $34,000. However, the most powerful version, Xiaomi SU7 Max, is really impressive. It is powered by two electric motors with a total output of 673 hp (495 kW) and 618 lb-ft (838 Nm) of torque, and has AWD. It reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.78 seconds with a top speed of 265 km/h (165 mph). It is equipped with the Xiami Pilot Max ADAS system, 800V architecture, and a CATI Qilin 101 kWh battery that enables a range of 800 km, or 510 km after a 15-minute charge. It costs $41,500.

Xiaomi intends to expand its sales and service network to 219 locations in 46 cities and 143 service centers in 86 cities. The wide network will cover almost every province, autonomous region and municipality in mainland China, ensuring wide access to the SU7 model.

Source: Xiaomi

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Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed Mythos

In 2022, Mercedes announced a special brand of luxury car with sports characteristics, Mythos. Now the German company has revealed that the first model will be the Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed.

When designing PureSpeed, the engineers found inspiration for certain elements in Mercedes’ legendary racing 300 SLR, with which the Stirling Moss/Denis Jenkinson crew won the Italian Mille Miglia race. In addition to the reinforcement behind the seat backrest, the safety of the driver and passenger in the event of a rollover is also ensured by a tubular titanium structure with three points of fastening, similar to the solution that has been used on Formula 1 cars since 2018.

Mercedes-AMG CEO Michael Schiebe believes that this car will give the driver the true experience that comes with open racing cars. The currently unknown powertrain should certainly contribute to that. Some believe that under the bonnet should be the 4-liter biturbo V8 engine from the SL 63 model, with 585 hp (436 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque. However, a more powerful plug-in hybrid option with 816 hp (608 kW) is not excluded either.

The Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed will be produced in limited numbers, with only 250 examples being offered to enthusiasts and collectors.

Source: Mercedes-AMG

Gallery:

Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed Mythos
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2025 Ford Mustang GTD coming in June

In mid-June, the 92nd edition of the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race will take place, where Ford will premiere the most powerful and most expensive Mustang, the Ford Mustang GTD.

The Mustang GTD is powered by a 5.2-L Coyote V8 engine assisted by a mechanical supercharger with about 800 hp (597 kW) at 7,500 rpm, paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels.

Greg Goodall, head of the engineering department in charge of this model, is confident that the Mustang GTD Coupé (with most of its carbon body panels and adaptive suspension/aerodynamics) will close the lap, on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, in less than seven minutes. He also revealed that during intensive testing in North America, GTD spent a lot of time at the Virginia International and Sebring circuits.

Most of the bodywork is made from carbon fiber, equipped with multi-adjustable suspension and a set of ultra-lightweight center-lock rims that are fitted with 325mm front and 345mm rear road-legal tires.

After the premiere, the Mustang GTD will also be presented at the Spa 24 Hours race in Belgium and the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Source: Ford

Gallery:

2025 Ford Mustang GTD coming in June