Being one of the major tech giants in China, Xiaomi's entry into the expanding electric vehicle market was a foreseeable move. The company disclosed its electric vehicle ambitions two years prior and has rapidly progressed in designing and creating the car. Initial images of the vehicle surfaced in January, but Xiaomi only obtained the necessary government permits to manufacture it last month.
Referred to as MS11 in its development phase, the vehicle is currently making headlines as the Xiaomi Modena. According to reports from Car News China, pilot manufacturing commenced last month at a Beijing-based plant. This factory is reportedly assembling around 50 prototype vehicles weekly, and Xiaomi is anticipated to secure approval from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) within the next month or two. Once authorized, sales of the Modena can officially begin.
The Modena aims to compete with models like the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal, with a starting price expected to be around 200,000 yuan ($27,400). Preliminary images indicate a visually appealing design, featuring prominent LED headlights and a minimalist front bumper. The photos also reveal that Xiaomi's inaugural electric vehicle will have concealed door handles, a roof-mounted LiDAR system, and a panoramic glass roof, similar to the Model 3.
Powering this upcoming Chinese electric vehicle will be a 101 kWh ternary battery coupled with an 800-volt electrical system. While specific details about the Modena's power and torque are not yet available, Car News China estimates that the car could achieve a range of up to 800 km (497 miles) on a full charge.
Source: Carnewschina