Xiaomi's camouflaged SU9 LUX sedan spotted, pointing to executive market push
A camouflaged Xiaomi sedan expected to be the SU9 LUX has been spotted, pointing to a move into executive cars, Ifanr reported.
The car's front end resembles the SU7, but the side profile shows a longer rear door and a larger rear quarter window, according to the report. Based on the SU7's 4,997mm length, the new model is likely to exceed 5.2 meters in length and have a wheelbase of about 3.1 meters.
The vehicle was first photographed about two months earlier and was widely assumed to be a long-wheelbase version of the SU7, Ifanr reported. A trademark approved by China's trademark office for XIAOMI SU9 LUX instead placed the car in Xiaomi's 9-series flagship line. LUX stands for Luxury, according to the report.
At that size, rear-wheel steering would be a necessary chassis feature, Ifanr reported, because it would shorten the turning radius in tight underground car parks and U-turns and reduce the sense of bulk in daily driving.
Xiaomi is also preparing an SU7 LUX, according to the report. That model is expected to keep the current SU7's dimensions but receive retuned suspension damping, stronger sound insulation and finer interior materials to improve ride quality. The report said such a model would likely cost more than the current SU7.
The SU9 LUX is expected to be priced between 350,000 and 400,000 yuan, Ifanr reported. A final answer could come at the Shanghai auto show in April next year, the report said.
The move would take Xiaomi from sporty coupe-style sedans into the executive segment, where traditional luxury brands make a large share of their profits, according to Ifanr. The report said executive sedans are highly homogenized, with many models adding rear-seat equipment such as folding screens, laser projectors, folding tables and shoe boxes.
Ifanr reported that the SU9 LUX is likely to follow that pattern in cabin features and seek differentiation in styling and chassis tuning. The car is expected to keep a long hood and a steep fastback roofline rather than the fuller roof used by some executive sedans to preserve rear headroom, the report said, adding that this could force some compromise on rear headroom.
The SU9 LUX is not expected to be a floaty, sofa-like sedan but to retain some firmness while filtering out small bumps, Ifanr reported. The report compared the intended difference with that between the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, saying Xiaomi may be aiming for a pure electric 5 Series for the new era.