Xiaomi’s SU7 Ultra 1,500-HP Got A Surprise Power Cap, And Owners Were Not Amused

With over 1,500 horsepower and a price tag that made German engineers sweat, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra was expected to be the electric car that revolutionized the industry. It delivered crazy numbers on track and looked like the future had arrived early. Sadly, for some early owners in China, that excitement didn’t last long.

After a recent software update (version 1.7.0), people started noticing something strange. The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra suddenly wasn’t as quick.

Turns out, Xiaomi quietly limited the power output to around 888 hp—unless you could “prove” you deserved the full 1,500+. No joke.

To unlock the full performance, owners had to set a qualifying lap time on a Xiaomi-approved track, with the car’s onboard lap-timing system logging the run. Only then would the power cap be lifted. And just to rub a bit of salt in the wound, launch control now made you wait 60 seconds before kicking in.

Xiaomi said it was a safety measure, that the car’s full output was meant for experienced drivers and proper track use. Fair enough on paper, but that’s not what people signed up for. Customers paid for an EV with wild specs, not one that holds back unless they jump through hoops.

The response was swift—and people didn’t hold back.  Within days, Xiaomi reversed course, ditched the power lock, and promised to be more upfront about future updates. “We appreciate the passionate feedback,” a rep said, adding they’d aim for better transparency going forward.

The lesson? If you’re selling a 1,500-hp EV, don’t be surprised when people actually want to use it.