Chinese automaker Xiaomi has captured global attention after its budget-friendly electric sedan, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, defeated one of Ferrari’s most extreme supercars in a series of straight-line drag races.
The headline-grabbing showdown took place earlier this month in Abu Dhabi. The SU7 Ultra went head-to-head with the Ferrari SF90 XX at a drag strip. This happened during an event organised by Carwow.
Ferrari’s long-standing reputation for motorsport excellence and elite engineering offered no protection on this occasion. The Xiaomi sedan outpaced the Italian supercar under challenging conditions. This happened shortly after a sandstorm had left fine sand on the track. Such conditions typically favour vehicles with advanced traction control. Modern electric cars excel in this area.
We got our hands on a Ferrari SF90 XX, and it’s going up against a Xiaomi SU7 Ultra! 😱🔥 https://t.co/sBOfuE9NMj pic.twitter.com/wr29ZLLlJQ
— carwow (@carwowuk) January 10, 2026Carwow host Mat Watson drove the Xiaomi, while Sam piloted the Ferrari. After activating launch control through the SU7 Ultra’s digital interface, the electric sedan surged ahead immediately. Consequently, it left the Ferrari struggling to match its acceleration.
The results were decisive. The Xiaomi completed the quarter-mile in 9.3 seconds, while the Ferrari crossed the line in 10.2 seconds. In the half-mile run, the SU7 Ultra again led the way with a time of 14.5 seconds. Meanwhile, the Ferrari managed 15.7 seconds.
Although the event did not include rolling races, the outcome was striking. A Chinese electric sedan priced between $73,000 and $75,000 clearly outperformed a $900,000 Ferrari in straight-line acceleration.
Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is the pinnacle of our SU7 series, and its NVH performance is truly exceptional. See how we made it possible. pic.twitter.com/2ePB3I4kkI
— Lei Jun (@leijun) March 20, 2025The performance gap can be traced to the SU7 Ultra’s powertrain. The car uses three electric motors producing a combined 1,526 horsepower and 1,305 lb-ft of torque. This allows it to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just 1.98 seconds, a figure normally associated with hypercars.
By comparison, the Ferrari SF90 XX relies on a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 producing 786 horsepower. This figure rises to 1,016 horsepower with electric assistance. Its official 0–62 mph time stands at around 2.3 seconds. This is impressive by any standard. Nevertheless, it is not enough to fend off Xiaomi’s electric challenger.
Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Shocks Auto World, Beats Ferrari SF90 XX in Drag Race
FOR FURTHER DETAILS: https://t.co/o2ohfBLh4B#Xiaomi #SU7Ultra #Shocks #AutoWorld #Beats #FerrariSF90XX #Drag #Race #AbuDhabi #TTI pic.twitter.com/XP76VVRYdH
— The Truth International (@ttimagazine) January 15, 2026The race underlines a broader shift in the automotive world. Electric vehicles from new entrants increasingly challenge traditional supercar manufacturers on raw performance. They do this often at a fraction of the price.
