After the SU7’s strong Nürburgring performance and the overwhelming demand for the new YU7 SUV—with 289,000 pre-orders—the tech giant seemed to be on a fast track to EV dominance. But over the weekend, a viral video raised serious questions about the limits of Xiaomi’s performance engineering.

The footage, captured at a race track and quickly circulating across social media, shows the high-performance YU7 Max SUV with brakes engulfed in flames while stationary in the pit lane. With 682 horsepower (691 kW) and 866 Nm of torque, the YU7 Max is no lightweight. But with that kind of output, braking systems must match the performance—and in this instance, they may have met their limits.

In the video, a technician is seen standing just inches from the glowing calipers while measuring temperatures. The reading: a staggering 619°C. Flames visibly lick the wheel wells, prompting immediate concern from enthusiasts and experts alike.

Xiaomi was quick to respond, attributing the dramatic display to “organic materials in the brake linings.” According to the company, temperatures above 600°C are “completely normal” under extreme conditions and do not affect brake functionality. They also pointed fingers at improper brake usage by the test driver.

The YU7 Max is fitted with a regenerative braking system tied to its “Master Mode”, a setting that enables deceleration of up to 0.2 G using energy recovery alone. When used correctly, this mode minimizes reliance on conventional brakes. However, Xiaomi claims that in this particular case, the driver failed to engage regenerative braking effectively, putting full stress on the traditional system—especially significant given the vehicle’s 2 to 3-ton mass.

Yet, this isn’t the first time Xiaomi has faced questions about its braking systems. Late last year, two SU7 sedans were involved in serious accidents after alleged total brake failure, reportedly due to the use of components not designed for high-stress, high-speed driving environments like race tracks.

So, is this a case of driver error, or an early warning of deeper engineering concerns?

With the EV market growing increasingly competitive, Xiaomi’s ability to balance performance, safety, and reliability will be critical. The company has captured the public’s imagination with sleek designs and impressive specs—but real-world durability and trustworthiness remain the ultimate test.

For now, Xiaomi insists the YU7 Max is performing as expected. But for performance enthusiasts and everyday buyers alike, brakes on fire—even in testing—are hard to ignore.

Source: 快看新聞 via YouTube