Photos of a camouflaged SUV prototype, believed to be Xiaomi’s third car, have surfaced online, showing the vehicle undergoing high-altitude testing in Taxian County, Xinjiang, near the Kunlun Mountains, according to IThome. The model, reportedly codenamed Xiaomi YU9, is said to have entered endurance and performance tests under complex conditions such as cold, heat, and elevation.
Xiaomi CEO and founder Lei Jun also posted photos from the site, saying he had arrived in Xinjiang to take part in the company’s plateau tests alongside other senior executives. The YU9 is rumored to feature an extended-range hybrid powertrain combining an electric motor with a small combustion engine, an 80 kWh battery, and an EV-only range exceeding 400 km. Analysts at Deutsche Bank have predicted that Xiaomi plans to launch a large hybrid SUV around 2026, suggesting the YU9 could be that model. [IThome, in Chinese]
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