Among the mountains of Xinjiang, Xiaomi has put his next automotive project to the test: the SUV YU9Leaked photos and videos show the team led by Lei Jun engaged in extreme testing in the heart of the region, at over 4.000 meters above sea level. The prototypes spotted reveal a little more about what could become the new SUV model after the Kunlun N3 already spotted some time ago and YU7 which is closer to a crossover.
Xiaomi YU9: Here's a photo of the company's third SUV model
Founder and CEO Lei Jun shared on social media a series of photos and videos shot along the Panlong Ancient Road, a 30km stretch with over 600 curves at an altitude of over 3.500 meters. It's a popular area among daredevil drivers, but for the Xiaomi team, it represents much more: a test bench to see how far the technology can go.
According to the information shared, more than 20 Xiaomi engineers are testing the resistance, charging capacity and UV protection of the new Xiaomi YU9 in an environment where even breathing can become difficult.
The presence of high-level executives, including Hu Zhengnan, Zhang Jianhui and Yu Kai, leaves no doubt: This is a large-scale test, similar to those conducted before the launch of the Xiaomi SU7 and YU7. A detail that suggests that the launch of the new model is not that far away.
Spy photos clearly show early prototypes of the Xiaomi YU9, and each new shot adds a piece to the puzzle. From the images, many observers have noticed the presence of an exhaust system: a clue that would confirm the nature hybrid with range extension of the vehicle.
According to some rumors, the Xiaomi YU9 SUV should be equipped with a battery 80 kWh, able to guarantee more than 400 km of autonomy in electric modeOverall battery life, however, remains a mystery. Perhaps this choice signals Xiaomi's desire to balance performance and practicality, focusing on "hybrid" mobility in its marketing strategies as well.
In terms of size, the YU9 is expected to exceed the 5,2 meters in length and reach approximately 1,8 meters high, positioning itself in the D-segment of large SUVs. The interior design, however, remains almost entirely secret: the few leaked images suggest a different approach than the classic dual screen seen on other models of the brand.
Like the brand's previous vehicles, the YU9 is also expected to be equipped with LiDAR, a key technology for Xiaomi's advanced driving assistance systems. Some prototypes have been spotted both with and without the sensor, a detail that suggests testing on multiple configurations, perhaps to offer different versions at launch.
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