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Xiaomi Turns A Nurburgring Record Breaker Into A Tire-Shredding Drift Machine

  • Fastest production EV at the ‘Ring stars in a Ken Block-inspired Gymkhana video.
  • The 1,526 hp electric sedan tears through Chinese streets with driver Ye Zhicheng.
  • The SU7 Ultra looks standard but hides a hydraulic handbrake for expert drifting.

Xiaomi’s latest high-performance electric sedan has been busy making history and smoke. The SU7 Ultra is now the fastest production EV to lap the Nurburgring Nordschleife, and while that achievement alone would be enough to cement its credentials, it turns out the car can dance as well as it can sprint.

In a display that might surprise those who associate all-wheel drive with understeer, a specially prepared SU7 Ultra takes center stage in a Ken Block–style Gymkhana video that could win over even the most skeptical EV enthusiasts.

Filmed on the Chinese island of Qionghai, the clip shows a bright yellow SU7 Ultra performing loads of impressive powerslides. Aiding in the car’s drifting prowess is the fitment of a hydraulic handbrake, allowing the driver to quickly lock up the rear wheels and kick out the EV’s tail.

Read: Xiaomi’s SU7 Ultra Software Upgrade Was A 650-HP Downgrade

Just like the finest of Ken Block’s Gymkhana videos, the SU7 Ultra is filmed sliding mere inches away from curbs and clipping obstacles with pinpoint precision. Behind the wheel of the EV was Formula Drift competitor Ye Zhicheng, and the production quality is just as good as anything we’ve seen from the team over at Hoonigan, who produced Block’s most famous videos.

Perhaps the most impressive stunt comes roughly halfway through the video, where the SU7 Ultra performs a figure-of-8 drift between two moving limousines. As the car pumps out a remarkable 1,526 hp, it should come as no surprise that it generates more than enough tire smoke to make the Block family proud.

Towards the end of the video, the SU7 Ultra joins up with an engine-swapped Toyota 86 to drift up a mountain road. Before long, the 86 is shown overheating, but the Xiaomi is able to continue. Xiaomi itself was so impressed with the video that company boss Lei Jun reportedly shared it on social media.

Hyundai’s New Electric Sedan Takes The Ioniq 5 N Formula Up A Notch

  • Hyundai released a new teaser of the high-performance Ioniq 6 N electric sedan.
  • It promises advanced suspension geometry and customizable drift settings.
  • The EV will make its world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this July.

Update: Hyundai has released new details on the upcoming Ioniq 6 N, including specifics on its chassis setup and driving modes. We’ve updated our original story.

Hyundai’s electric performance lineup continues to evolve, and the Ioniq 6 N is set to raise the bar when it makes its official debut at Goodwood on July 10. Following the well-received Ioniq 5 N, which proved that an electric hot hatch can go toe-to-toe with its combustion counterparts, this new performance sedan aims to deliver sharper dynamics.

The Ioniq 6 N has been quietly progressing for some time. Its roots can be traced back to the 2022 RN22e concept, followed by sightings of camouflaged prototypes over the past few years. The first official teaser arrived in April 2025, timed with the reveal of the facelifted base model. More recent previews offer a clearer picture, highlighting the car’s sportier stance and intent.

The latest round of teasers offers a clearer glimpse of the upcoming EV, emphasizing its performance-driven design and intent. Highlights include a revised suspension setup, refinements to Hyundai’s simulated gearbox and sound system, and upgraded drift tuning for more precise control on the track.

Sharper Looks, Familiar Shape

While the Ioniq 6 N carries over the split headlight layout and sporty bumpers from the refreshed N Line model, a few key details separate it from the pack. Around back, it sports a prominent swan-neck rear wing perched above the integrated ducktail spoiler, giving the sedan a more track-ready silhouette.

More: Hyundai Teases Production-Spec N Vision 74

A closer inspection shows wider fenders front and rear, along with more aggressive bumper inserts that hint at its enhanced performance. The teaser images show the car in Hyundai N’s signature Performance Blue paint, accented by familiar red trim. Lightweight alloy wheels wrapped in sticky performance tires complete the look.

Aggressive Chassis Setup, Fake Sounds, And More Drift

While the Ioniq 6 N shares its platform with the Ioniq 5 N, Hyundai has introduced several upgrades that build on its lower ride height and more aerodynamic shape. These changes are aimed at improving handling and responsiveness, with the company highlighting a “fully redesigned suspension geometry.” Key revisions include a lowered roll center, a longer caster trail, and new electronically controlled stroke-sensing (ECS) dampers designed to better manage body movement and grip.

More: Hyundai’s New Ioniq 5 N DK Edition Proves EVs Can Shred Tires And Egos Alike

The EV will also feature updated versions of Hyundai’s N e-Shift and N Active Sound+ systems, now available across all drive modes. These enhancements are designed to replicate the feel and sound of a traditional performance car, right down to the simulated gear changes. The faux dual-clutch transmission uses a close-ratio setup, accompanied by an “N Ambient Shift Light” that signals when it’s time for the driver to make a virtual shift.

Rounding out the performance upgrades, the enhanced N Drift Optimiser introduces a wider range of settings to help drivers fine-tune the car’s behavior based on their own drifting skill level. Hyundai notes that this system is designed with track use in mind.

Hyundai hasn’t shared official powertrain specs just yet, but it’s likely the Ioniq 6 N will carry over the dual-motor setup from the Ioniq 5 N. That model delivers 601 hp (448 kW / 609 PS), with a temporary bump to 641 hp (478 kW / 650 PS) when N Grin Boost is activated. The same 84 kWh battery pack is expected to carry over as well, providing more than enough muscle to put it in direct competition with the Tesla Model 3 Performance.

Joon Park, Vice President and Head of the N Management Group, says the Ioniq 6 N is designed to deliver “the most engaging driving experience possible in an EV.”

More details are expected when the car takes to the hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 10.

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Hyundai

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