All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Xiaomi will increase the production of the SU7

At the beginning of 2024, Xiaomi revealed its first car, the SU7, which has been recording outstanding results for months. In October, 20,000 units were produced, and almost 50,000 SU7s will be produced by the end of the year.

Since its arrival on the car market, Xiaomi has received a large number of orders for its first car, and in April the Chinese company announced that one SU7 leaves the production lines every 76 seconds. That was impressive, and the fact that buyers have to wait 21 weeks for their cars shows how much demand there is.

Xiaomi’s first-phase facility has a capacity of 12,000 units per month, meaning the utilization rate is close to 200 percent thanks to multi-shift operations. The second phase is currently under construction and should be operational in mid-2025. This would increase annual production to 300,000 units, which would reduce demand pressure.

Xiaomi 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 will accelerate 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.

The more powerful version of the SU7 Pro will be equipped with an 800V architecture, and a 94.3 kWh battery that provides a range of 830 km. 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.

At the end of October, Xiaomi presented the racing version of this model, the SU7 Ultra. It is powered by three electric motors with a total output of 1,548 hp (1,154 kW), which is enough to push the 1,900 kg car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 1.97 seconds, 200 km/h in 5.97 seconds and 300 km/h in 15 seconds, with a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph).

Source: Xiaomi

News

2025 Porsche 911 (992.2) Carrera T Coupé

After unveiling the redesigned edition of its most famous Carrera 911 model (992.2), Porsche has expanded its range with the Carrera T (Touring) version.

This version is lighter than the standard 911 (992.2) and weighs 1,490 kilograms thanks to lighter glasses and less insulation, and customers can further reduce the weight of the car by choosing the optional carbon seats. It also got larger and more efficient brakes, 20- and 21-inch alloy wheels, adaptive suspension, improved stabilizers and steering through the rear axle to increase handling. Also, this time Porsche decided to offer the Carrera T as a Cabriolet.

When it comes to the powertrain, there were no major changes. There is still the 6-cylinder boxer biturbo engine that now has 394 hp (289 kW) which is slightly more than the standard model (385 hp) and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque. That is enough for acceleration to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 295 km/h (183 mph). Drivers will no longer be able to count on the 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (PDK) that was optional in the previous edition, as there is now a 6-speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear axle. The shift lever with a wooden ball was reminiscent of those from the racing model 917 with which Porsche achieved the first of 19 victories at Le Mans 54 years ago.

Speaking of price, the new Porsche 911 Carrera T Coupé in Germany starts at 141,700 euros.

Source: Porsche

Gallery:

2025 Porsche 911 (992.2) Carrera T Coupé
Tuning

Manhart MH5 800E based on the BMW M5

In June, BMW presented the seventh generation and most powerful M5 ever, and it didn’t take long for the German tuner Manhart to present its project based on this car, the Manhart MH5 800E (G9x).

The car is painted in Matte Black with standard gold stripes on both sides and a stripe that runs from the front fascia over the roof to the rear, making it look even more aggressive. Compared to the standard M5, the MH5 800E is equipped with a new front lip spoiler with an additional pair of wings, Concave One rims, a thin two-piece rear wing and a more aggressive diffuser, and buyers can also choose a carbon fiber hood. Also, further technical upgrades such as new suspension solutions to refine the agility and lowering of the M5 are planned.

All components are also compatible with the BMW M5 Touring that was presented in August, and it should be noted that the entire body kit with front spoiler lip, side skirts, diffuser and a rear spoiler is also under development.

There are still many unknowns, but what we know for now is that the MH5 800E will be powered by a 4.4-L biturbo V8 engine combined with an electric motor with a total power of about 800 hp (588 kW), paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. By comparison, the factory BMW M5 has 727 hp (542 kW) and 737 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) of torque. That’s enough power to push a 2.5-ton car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 305 km/h (190 mph). It is equipped with a 14.8 kWh battery that enables an electric range of up to 40 kilometers.

The price of the upgrade is not known.

Source: Manhart

Gallery:

Manhart MH5 800E based on the BMW M5