Not long ago, the idea of a “phone company” building a world-class supercar felt like a fever dream—or at the very least, a very expensive marketing stunt. But here we are in 2026, and the conversation has completely shifted. With the 1.67 update for Gran Turismo 7, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra has officially arrived in the digital world. While some might see this as just another car added to a long list of virtual vehicles, it’s actually a massive cultural milestone for the industry. It’s the moment a “gadget on wheels” finally earns its stripes alongside legendary names like Porsche and Ferrari.
I remember when the first rumors of the SU7 started circling. People were skeptical, and honestly, can you blame them? They asked, “Can a company that makes rice cookers and smartphones really understand the soul of a performance machine?” But by landing a spot in Kazunori Yamauchi’s meticulously curated racing simulator, Xiaomi isn’t just showing off a 3D model; they’re claiming a seat at the high table of automotive engineering. You don’t just “get” into Gran Turismo—you’re invited after a rigorous vetting process that looks at physics, heritage, and technical prowess.
Let’s Talk About the Absurd 1,548 Horsepower
First, we have to talk about the numbers, because they are frankly ridiculous. The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is powered by what they call a “Hyper Tri-Motor” system—two V8s motors and one V6s. This setup pumps out a staggering 1,548 horsepower. To put that in perspective, that’s more power than most top-tier hypercars that cost ten times as much. And the torque? A massive 1,770 N·m. It hits 100 km/h in 1.98 seconds. That isn’t just fast; that’s “rearranging your internal organs” fast.
But in the world of Gran Turismo, raw power isn’t everything. The game is famous for its “Real Driving Simulator” tagline, and if a car doesn’t handle correctly, the community will tear it apart. That’s why the collaboration between Xiaomi and Polyphony Digital was so intense. We’re talking about Xiaomi’s vehicle dynamics team actually flying to Fukuoka to work with the developers. They wanted to ensure the dual-chamber air springs and torque vectoring felt identical to the real-world counterpart. It’s the kind of obsession you usually only see from legacy manufacturers with a century of racing history.
Proving It at the Nürburgring (Because Numbers Only Mean So Much)
The real turning point for the SU7 Ultra’s reputation didn’t happen in a lab—it happened at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. In April 2025, the production version clocked a lap time of 7:04.957. For those who don’t follow track times, that is an absurdly fast number for an electric executive vehicle. It’s the kind of time that makes traditional petrol-heads stop and take notice. It’s a statement that says, “We aren’t just fast in a straight line; we can dance, too.”
By bringing this specific car—the record-breaker—into Gran Turismo 7, Xiaomi is letting every kid with a PlayStation experience what that level of grip and acceleration actually feels like. It’s a brilliant piece of psychological marketing. You might not be able to afford the real SU7 Ultra (or even live in a market where it’s sold), but you can drive it virtually. That experience builds brand loyalty that lasts for decades—it’s exactly how Nissan turned the GT-R into a global icon through the original Gran Turismo games in the 90s.
Is It a Car or a High-Performance Computer?
One of the most interesting things about the SU7 Ultra is how it tries to balance being a track monster and a daily driver. It has a 630 km CLTC range and can charge from 10% to 80% in just 11 minutes. This is where the “tech company” DNA really shines. Traditional car companies often struggle with software and battery management, but for Xiaomi, that’s their bread and butter. They’ve approached the car as a high-performance computer that just happens to have wheels and a 1,500-horsepower motor.
I think we’re seeing a shift in what “luxury” and “performance” mean to the next generation. It’s no longer just about the roar of a V12 engine. It’s about the integration of technology, the precision of the torque vectoring, and the ability to update the car’s personality via software. The SU7 Ultra represents the pinnacle of this new philosophy. It’s unapologetically digital, yet it respects the mechanical fundamentals required to conquer a place like the Nürburgring or the Tsukuba Circuit.
The Ultimate Stress Test at Monza
To celebrate the launch, Polyphony Digital is running a two-week lap-time challenge at Monza. If you’ve ever played a racing sim, you know that Monza is the “Temple of Speed.” It’s a track that rewards raw power and late braking—the perfect stage for the SU7 Ultra to show off its 800V high-voltage platform and its regenerative braking capabilities. This isn’t just a fun event; it’s a global leaderboard that will show exactly where Xiaomi stands against the established elite.
And let’s be honest: the competition will be fierce. Sim-racers are notoriously picky. If the SU7 Ultra feels “floaty” or unrealistic, they will be the first to complain. But given the level of involvement from Lei Jun and the engineering teams, I suspect this digital replica is going to surprise a lot of people. It’s a bold move to put your flagship car under the microscope of millions of players, but Xiaomi seems more than confident.
FAQ
How do I get the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra in Gran Turismo 7?
You’ll need to update your game to version 1.67, which dropped on January 29, 2026. Once that’s done, you can pick up the car in the game’s Brand Central or find it featured in specific events.
Is the in-game performance actually realistic?
Yes, Xiaomi’s engineering team worked directly with Polyphony Digital in Fukuoka to validate the vehicle dynamics. They wanted to make sure the 1,548 HP and torque vectoring behave exactly like the real-world production model.
Can I play this on both PS4 and PS5?
Absolutely. Update 1.67 is available for both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, so players on both generations can take the SU7 Ultra for a spin.
A New Era Where Tech and Asphalt Finally Collide
At the end of the day, the arrival of the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra in Gran Turismo 7 is a signal. It tells us that the barrier between the tech world and the automotive world has finally dissolved. We are no longer looking at “cars with gadgets”; we are looking at sophisticated robots that we happen to drive. Xiaomi has managed to do in a few years what many companies haven’t done in fifty: they’ve created a car that people actually care about, both for its specs and its soul.
Whether you’re a fan of EVs or a die-hard internal combustion enthusiast, you have to respect the hustle. Taking a car from a blueprint to a Nürburgring record-breaker and then into the world’s premier racing sim is a trifecta very few can claim. So, if you have a copy of GT7, go take the SU7 Ultra for a lap at Monza. Even if it’s just virtual, you’re driving a piece of history—the moment the tech giants finally caught up to the legends.
This article is sourced from various news outlets, including details from Hybrid.co.id. Analysis and presentation represent our editorial perspective on the intersection of gaming and automotive technology.
