Driving China's Hottest EV Around Detroit - Autoline Exclusives

Hi, John Maroy here from Autoline talking all things automotive here with Terry Wowski. President Yeah, the president of Kerosoft and we've got a

Terry Wowski. President Yeah, the president of Kerosoft and we've got a car I've been dying to get into. The Xiaomi U7. The YU7 is the actual name.

This is the YU7 Max, which I'm told totally everything loaded here. But

Terry, what a story. I mean, Xiaomi, this is a car, a company that makes phones and and consumer appliances, and they've only been at this a couple of years, and yet everybody in China and and much of the rest of the world going crazy over this car.

>> Yeah, it's really pretty remarkable when you think about it. As you said, you're essentially a phone company, a home appliance company, decides to get into the auto business. Uh, their first for was the SU7 and it caught the world by

shock. said, "Wow, this is really nice for your first time out the gate. This

shock. said, "Wow, this is really nice for your first time out the gate. This

is something." Well, then about a year later, now comes the YU sub. This is the YU7 Max and uh it is really quite an amazing vehicle. So, this is a this is a got a lot of attention in the auto industry. Of course, we we're a

benchmarking company, so we want to get our hands on the first one so that we can uh you know be disassembling them and understanding what's beneath the skin. It's the engineering in in the vehicle, but it it's really very

skin. It's the engineering in in the vehicle, but it it's really very popular. John, we were at the IAA over in Germany a couple weeks ago, and we we

popular. John, we were at the IAA over in Germany a couple weeks ago, and we we had our booth, Kerosoft booth there, and we had a YU7 in our booth, and for 5

days straight, it was flooded with people. I I've never seen anything like this. In fact, it was drawn as much, if not more attention than most of the

this. In fact, it was drawn as much, if not more attention than most of the regular OEM uh booths. So, you know, it's really got a lot of people's attention and I knew you'd like to drive it. >> Yeah. No,

>> before we take it apart and get a chance to experience it yourself.

>> Yeah. We've been reporting on this, you know, ever since it came out. Well, ever

since uh the SU7 came out and, you know, took took the country by storm, you know, uh China, that is the Chinese market. Then the U7 comes out and even more people want it. And uh it's this one's got some impressive specs. It's

what just shy of 700 horsepower >> all-wheel drive >> uh air leveling suspension and let's take a walk around and you point out a few things here.

>> Well, it competes nose tonose with the Tesla Model Y. You could tell who they benchmark and who they were were going after and competing. uh they had their own SU7 that they wanted to up their game, you know, and make it even better

and uh and then take on the the Tesla Model Y. To summarize it, they accomplished that.

I mean, it's even a superior vehicle in many fashions than the SU7 is a little more costly, but they've added milk technologies and new features. So, it

turns out that uh they did get after some of the cost by some engineering efficiencies that I can talk about a little bit here. Uh it performs extremely well and it's priced under the Tesla Model Y and it offers more

technology, more features. So, >> the other thing too, like look, look at the styling. I mean there there's a little bit of Porscheesque approach to

the styling. I mean there there's a little bit of Porscheesque approach to the styling. I see that in the headlamps, especially in the rear 3/4 as well.

the styling. I see that in the headlamps, especially in the rear 3/4 as well.

>> Yeah. With the flow through ventilation around the the lamps, through the fascia, you know, they're getting extra cooling through some of these heat sources, but also improving CDA, get the the drag as low as they can, and it's

just aesthetically cool. Uh they're they're challenged like a lot of our uh people are with a liar. You know, it's a little bit of a protrudence here but >> yeah, you don't see that much outside of China, but my understanding is

everything. Well, maybe not everything, but a lot of light are in China these days.

everything. Well, maybe not everything, but a lot of light are in China these days.

>> Yep. They have thrifted out some of the sensors from the automatic driving from the SU7. So, they've gotten that for the price that way. Uh you can see they've got uh Brembo

the SU7. So, they've gotten that for the price that way. Uh you can see they've got uh Brembo brakes. There was some criticism earlier of some brake performance as a brake

brakes. There was some criticism earlier of some brake performance as a brake field. That's been addressed. Brembo brakes up here. We got Bremboesque

field. That's been addressed. Brembo brakes up here. We got Bremboesque brakes in the back. There's no Brembo Brembo logo. Yeah. They painted the caliper to make it look like it's a Brembo, but uh >> but remember, most of the braking is

done regen, >> right? >> And then the mechanical braking that you really want to do when you're in sport mode, it's done up here. >> Yeah.

>> So, this is a good good application. >> And giant 21in wheels and tires.

Michelin tires, too. That kind of surprises me that it's not a a Chinese brand tire.

>> No, but I think it it lends to the the comfort mode uh in the vehicle. They

ride really well and then in the handling and in the sport mode.

>> I wonder too if it's uh you know, is there still some panache of having European Brembo branded brakes, you know, Michelin tires, you know, so >> a lot of brand.

>> Yeah. And very interesting too, just the the cap on top of the rear view mirror.

>> Looks like it's carbon fiber. So again, to >> to convey to the to the buyer like, hey, we're putting good stuff, good materials and components on this car.

>> We're about halfway through disassembly of another vehicle.

>> So we'll be cutting through this and making sure is that really carbon fiber or is it full? But right, uh, you know, looks good. Looks good from here. >> Yeah.

>> The door handles are are unique in that they flip in. >> Yeah. Yeah,

>> let's let's get the a video clip on that because when you >> look at the door handles, I I I thought they were going to be retractable, but that's very controversial in China right now, too. But here, you just

>> it's it's just like a a regular mechanical one. >> Yeah, it'll it actually tuck itself up, >> gets out of the way, and you just get your hand in there to pull it open.

So, so you get the look of a retractable handle, but it's not really >> Well, you get the arrow feature. It's clean. >> You get the look, but it's just uh flip zoom.

And it's it's interesting to see uh the charging port on this because, you know, somebody like myself who's uh used to the J1772 or the the Tesla Knack one, it

don't look nothing like them. >> They don't. We had to come up with some adapters. The vehicle is not homologated to US standards right now. It is.

adapters. The vehicle is not homologated to US standards right now. It is.

>> In fact, you were saying this car speaks Mandarin. It doesn't speak English. It

really doesn't speak. >> So, I mean, you could do all these voice controls with it if you speak Mandarin, but >> if you don't speak Mandarin, you're out of luck.

>> Yeah. Fortunately, we have some of our associates who do and and they can help work on it and show it. But, uh, as far as my personal Mandarin, it's really not up to par. >> Yeah.

Let's take a look. Uh, how do you open the >> There's a touch here.

>> There is a voice activated. If you can speak Mandarin, you can say open the hatch and it'll open. Just like the trunk, you can say open the trunk.

>> So, decent amount of uh cargo space back here. >> Yep. Now, one of the upgrades from their SU7 is they electrified the seats. >> So, it used to be a manual adjust seat.

>> This has got electrical controls. >> Uhhuh. >> And you can tell even more um focus once again to the back seat passenger >> to give that because sometimes the owner is sitting back here.

>> Yeah. Yeah. Up here. You got to get used to that. >> That's right.

>> Very nice. And you know, I like seeing all the detail work and how everything's been finished off here. It's very welloughtated. >> Uh it looks like uh a power strut to open here and just a passive gas strut here. So instead of having two power

struts, which most people do. >> Yeah. U they've been able to thrift that.

Well, let's take a look inside because there's uh a lot to look at in this.

So, actually, we'll have to get in the car and take a ride because you can't appreciate >> all the displays and everything unless they're on and uh the vehicle going down the road.

>> Yeah. >> Uh so, why don't we hop in for a ride? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And I can drive. Yeah. Yeah.

>> So, Terry, what I really like about this is you've got this nice center screen.

And we'll get more into that, but uh in the cowl at the end of the dashboard, you've got this pillarto-pillar display, which I really like because number one, you can see it, too. It's not just for the driver to be able to see. Anybody can see it.

>> And it it's all blacked out. It's very crisp and easy to read. Even though it's a very sunny day, very high contrast, it's easy to see. And we've we've got

this little critter that's blinking its eyes at us. And I'm guessing that's sort of some sort of uh uh AI avatar that you can talk to and uh >> or fortunately make go away.

>> This whole uh panoramic screen is, you know, heads-up display projected. You

can see where the IP rolls down. >> So from your eye ellipse, you can't see that, but they're projecting up nicely. It terminates right at the hood cut line. So, it's really well integrated and just gives such a vivid um display.

line. So, it's really well integrated and just gives such a vivid um display.

And then you can customize what do you want, where, what colors do you want it to be, do you want the little go over to be here or here or go away? Uh all these

things that you can can tailor >> and it's really crystal clear. It really is.

>> Yeah, the resolution is great. Now, as you were pointing out, I mean, this is a company that makes smartphones and other appliances, and this speaks right to what their heritage and capabilities are. >> Exactly. And focus, right? It's the

connectivity of your uh your whole electronic uh ecosystem, your phone, your infotainment systems, your home, the home appliances, all interconnected.

Mhm. And you were pointing out there's these uh metal attachment points that we can see here on the instrument panel and other places in the car.

>> Yeah. Some are visible, some are not visible. They're up in in various locations, but they're for customization. And they sell accessories. uh a sunglass holder that

customization. And they sell accessories. uh a sunglass holder that has a magnetic base and just snap in place or phone holders or uh buttons actually electronic buttons that you can program to do any of the normal

functions and then place that button wherever you want to. So you become an IP uh design engineer at this point where you can put your own features but you say you know I'm always adjusting the seat or I'm always doing this and

you can just customize a feature. The screen is terrific. And uh Oh, I think I just popped the truck. >> You did. You touched it. >> So, we're gonna have to get out. No, I

think Oh, I can close that. Yeah. >> And then there's uh >> No worries.

>> Other things that I can touch here, too. And I'm just going to do that and see what the heck happens. Okay. Oh, that'll open up uh the connector for the battery charger.

>> What's this one do there? There goes uh the rear hatch, right? >> Very nice.

and and very intuitive, too. >> Have an aluminum clam shell hood, plastic fenders. >> Mhm.

>> Steel doors. >> When you look at and compare this to the Tesla Model Y, this is actually a couple hundred kilograms heavier. >> That's a lot. Couple 400 lb, you know,

heavier. It has a bigger battery so that it can compete and and other things. So,

heavier. It has a bigger battery so that it can compete and and other things. So,

but it requires more battery, uh, more power because you're heavier. Um,

the rear seat, uh, in the YU7 has been electrified, >> so all the adjustments in the seat now you have controls. >> And interestingly, uh, it has a nav system, >> but this is for China.

>> So, it doesn't work that doesn't work in Detroit. But you were saying it will easily accommodate uh Apple CarPlay. >> It does. In fact, I had it plugged in

the other day or you know out for driving it. It's just absolutely crystal clear. >> Mhm. >> Yep.

>> And then of course there's all different kinds of settings that you can get to.

>> Yeah. You could you could entertain yourself endlessly with all the different features and and adjustments that are available here.

>> Yeah. Now, I do like there is a stock >> for the windshield wipers and uh >> you know the the brights and the like. >> I think that's an important thing. You

know, as a driver, there's certain things I want right at my fingertips.

Turn signals, uh windshield wipers. To me, that's critical. But one thing I don't like is you do have to go through the screen to adjust your mirrors. Now,

most people, they set their mirrors and that's that. You never have to go back to it. So, I kind of understand why they'd send you through the screen.

to it. So, I kind of understand why they'd send you through the screen.

>> Uh, nonetheless, I'm somebody who fiddles with this stuff all the time.

So, I'd prefer to have a mechanical device somewhere within my fingertips to do it. But that's just me. I understand what they're doing here.

do it. But that's just me. I understand what they're doing here.

>> Well, for decades, I've been able to go over to a control right here on the armrest and >> Yeah.

>> left, right, up, down. >> All right. And then you noted it it has a a panoramic glass roof.

You were saying uh earlier before we started shooting this that you can uh adjust this >> electrochromatic. >> So there's a lot of content on this car. >> But let's go for a ride.

>> electrochromatic. >> So there's a lot of content on this car. >> But let's go for a ride.

>> Yeah, because there's a lot in the driving experience as well that they've >> Oh, and one thing I should point out, too, is on the steering wheel here, you can twist this knob and go through different driving modes. They've got

some I've never heard of before. Beginner. I've never heard of a beginner mode. Of course, if you got almost 700 horsepower, maybe that's a good thing.

mode. Of course, if you got almost 700 horsepower, maybe that's a good thing.

Then there's a comfort one, which everybody's got. Sport. Sport plus,

which I'm guessing allows you to sort of hang the ass end out on fast turns a bit, take away some of the stability. >> And then eco, which everyone has, but kind of interesting. Uh, I'll go to comfort just to start out.

>> If you notice with the air suspension as you've changed that, >> the car has been raising and lowering. >> Oh, I to try to Oh, yeah. You've been

making this go up and down. I'm getting a little seasick here for a minute. But

every time you adjust that, it's starting to adjust the trim height of the vehicle.

>> Clear up to 3 in. >> And what's this other knob on that? >> That's for the self-driving.

>> Oh, self-driving. Yeah. >> Will it work here in the United States? Yeah,

>> cuz you probably have to have, you know, GPS and cellular and all kinds of connectivity and mapped roads and all that to have it work. Yeah. Okay.

>> Probably all kinds of security alerts go off when you hit that here.

>> Let's see how this thing goes.

>> And we're going to come up to a really good test here because there's some bumpy pavement. Yeah, very rough >> Michigan right here. It's my personal

bumpy pavement. Yeah, very rough >> Michigan right here. It's my personal rough road proving ground right here. >> So, number one, no squeaks, no buzzes, no rattles,

>> no boom. >> Uh, no boom. Everything's extremely well damped. I wonder if I know there's noise cancellation in here. I wonder if that's playing some role in it.

And if not, this thing is incredibly well tied down. >> Yeah.

>> The level of finesse in the vehicle from the trim to the body panels, it's really nicely crafted.

>> So, can we drive out of here on the road? Okay. >> Yeah, you're right out on Plymouth Road.

And now once we're on the smooth pavement, oh my gosh, this thing is quiet as a bank vault.

And even though we're in comfort mode, it accelerates very nicely.

But now I'm going to put it in sport plus. And I don't know if the the mics will pick this up.

Now you're generating induction noise, exhaust noise.

>> And so even in sport mode, >> you're generating those noises.

>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean the correct fake noises, >> but it's >> but it sounds rather natural in the way that the car accelerates and the noise going with it.

And then I go to eco mode and it's >> focus on driving. >> It doesn't like me talking to you, Terry.

>> It might have seen your hand. I don't know. >> Yeah, >> it caught something.

>> And that that was probably the little critter. Now, it did speak English. >> Yeah.

>> I wonder if in China it speaks English, too. >> That's the first time I've heard that.

All right. Yeah, I was looking over at you too much and it did not like that.

>> So, the steering effort is light but not too light. >> No. And the valley feel is very very tight. >> What do you mean valley feel? Well, between uh picking up a torque gradient

tight. >> What do you mean valley feel? Well, between uh picking up a torque gradient to the left or to the right and then in the center you sometimes there's a dull uh spot right on center. So you get this little bit of uh you know valley feel, a

little bit of uh uh you know wandering that can happen. And there's a lot of uh steering tuning goes to how do how well do I make that feel? Mhm. >> This is tuned extremely well. And you'll

notice the buildup of torque, just the slightest motion of that.

So, we're probably not going to get the chance on this little drive to really put it through its paces. Uh what I'm why I'm saying that is as we go down the road, I mean, this thing just sort of it's got that boulevard ride. It's very

comfortable. But I'll bet if we really went around corners very quickly, you know, cornered hard, that would probably stiffen up the suspension immediately.

>> It would, especially when you're in the sport or sport plus mode more and more.

I love how quickly all these things react, you know, when I'm touching the screen.

And I love the graphics, too. I mean, Tesla's the one who pioneered this, but we're getting pretty good graphic definition of the vehicles going by us.

One thing that the Model Y does that this doesn't do, and I don't know if you notice it here or not, but when you do a lane change and you signal to the indicator, as soon as you make the lane change on the Model Y, it will cancel.

It says, "Oh, you want to make a lane change. Okay, you did it. Okay, you

don't need this anymore." This, if you signal, it's just going to keep on signaling until you cancel it.

So, let's get it up to some highway speeds. And I've got it in sport mode again, so it's generating some noise.

But here's where I'm sure we really appreciate having seven >> or almost 700 horsepower.

And again, it's It's >> It's talking to me in Mandarin, but I think I think it says slow down.

>> Yeah. Yeah. You're going over the limit there pal.

>> Uh, okay. So, here we're going roughly 70 m an hour. >> Uh,

total lack of wind noise. I mean, total lack of wind noise even though we got that that LAR bump on uh >> on the header here. Well, if you look at the laminated glass, 5.5 mm thick laminated glass, that all lends itself

to that. The shape of the mirror, the position of the mirror, this flow through ventilation, those

to that. The shape of the mirror, the position of the mirror, this flow through ventilation, those things help. Interesting on the uh on the battery protection on the under pan, they

things help. Interesting on the uh on the battery protection on the under pan, they advertise it as bulletproof and they talk about ballistic proof. It's like,

well, that's a interesting uh choice of words, but what they're saying is from a thermal perspective and a protection that the thing is essentially bulletproof.

I wouldn't try to verify that one way or another but like most EVs, the whole bottom is just completely covered just from an arrow perspective. Well, >> that's one of the advantages of EVs.

So, we'll get off here and turn around and head back. But yeah, you were mentioning uh the HVAC there are no vents that you see. I mean, no round things with little louvers on them. >> No adjustments. >> It's just a couple of slits in front of us

>> and they have sort of this oscillating wave motion. >> So, I just feel this gentle breeze of the air conditioning on me. Yep. >> The key is comfort.

800vt battery. >> Oh, interesting. >> Over the SU7, they increased the power of the rear motor primarily through the power electronics. link the motor is

essentially the same, but they've gone to a MOSFET type uh approach and got more power and run higher uh RPM out of that rear motor. Another interesting thing they've done,

and see these are areas that the customer doesn't know. They don't care and they're not willing to pay for some of this stuff. But on the SU7, they had eight individual low voltage controllers spaced around the the vehicle from an

electrical architecture perspective. Well, they've been busy integrating some of these low voltage controllers and they went from eight control boxes to five >> by integrating the functions. And that's just fewer parts that are being

engineered manufactured assembled. >> So you cut cost, you free up packaging space. >> Exactly.

>> Maybe even take a little bit of weight out. >> A little bit of mass and labor, assembly labor.

The key really is in isn't integration. The best part is no part. And so as you can get these parts to work harmoniously together and you get that that synergistic effect, that's when you win.

Do you live around here? You know this way around here pretty well. >> I do.

So, like most electrics, very easy car to drive. Plenty of power on tap. So, if

you find an open space you want to get to, just go for it. It's so easy to do, and this would be an extremely comfortable car for a long drive because it is so quiet, so smooth.

Now, I I wish that we were able to use the self-driving capabilities of the car, recognizing you cannot do that with this car in the United States, but uh I'll bet it's pretty good.

So, this is fully loaded. I mean, all-wheel drive. It's got everything.

>> Do you know what this one costs offhand? >> About about $46,000. >> $46,000. >> Wow.

>> So, it's a it's priced below the Model Y. Look, I mean, we're talking almost Lucid

Air levels of quality and technology at a >> at a price that is way below that. >> It's amazing.

>> Someone asked me the other day if I would want one. I say, "Where would I sign?"

>> Right. It's really a nice car.

But you're going to cut this car all up then right? >> We already have one in our facility in the UAE in Dubai. And we're about halfway through the that and then this

one will follow. But for now, it's good to have a model that's whole so that you can compare what am I seeing? Oh, how did it come apart? see both ends of the spectrum and and have the opportunity to do some of the evaluations like we're doing now.

>> I'll bet you're getting a lot of interest from a lot of automakers, maybe even suppliers about what you've learned about this car. Both. Yeah.

Really in general, the whole China auto industry generates a ton of interest from a benchmarking analysis perspective and this car in particular of late has really been

keenly interesting. Well, as we said at the beginning, you know, it's just amazing that a

keenly interesting. Well, as we said at the beginning, you know, it's just amazing that a essentially a consumer electronic company can step into the automotive

space and and hit one out of the park with its first model and its second model even better.

>> Well, and then come out with a second model within about a year, >> right?

>> That's even better, right? >> That's pretty unharish.

And the interesting thing if if you look at certain areas like on some of the window seals and things there's a level of finesse that usually comes about through decades of experience and solving problems. water leak problems,

wind noise problems, clothes, you know, fit and finish some and and slowly the designs have evolved to have very, you know, very precise, nuanced uh aspects of it and you look and well, this one's already got it. So somebody

brought a ton of experience with them but at the same time they didn't bring the baggage of bureaucracy and um you know all the other baggage that so many have with respect

to their vehicle development process. >> Oh this is the clear advantage that any startup has over a legacy automaker. >> Exactly. Maybe they don't have quite the

resources, but they don't have all the hundred years of, you know, processes and specifications and all the other stuff that slows them down. >> Right.

>> So, Terry, we've done a walk around. We did a bit of a drive on the vehicles.

What are your final thoughts about what everybody should pay attention to on this car?

I think what the the primary thing to pay attention to isn't necessarily the car, although the car is amazing, but it's the fact how fast this company was able to

generate the SU7 and then quickly transformed to the YU7, continually driving down cost, increasing performance, features, content, and it's the speed at which they've been able to Oh, and of

all the technological advances and the things that happen, everybody, you know, works at those, but the speed at which you can execute that that design is a strategic advantage. So, it's not just the features, it's not just the

strategic advantage. So, it's not just the features, it's not just the technologies, it's not just the integration of controllers and these that's critical, but that's what we do for a living. I mean, that's that's what

engineers do. But the speed at which you can make that happen, that's the

engineers do. But the speed at which you can make that happen, that's the business. That's the leadership. That's the processes that you follow or or the

business. That's the leadership. That's the processes that you follow or or the bureaucratic processes that you don't let be an anchor around your neck. So to

me, it is amazing that a vehicle this refined uh could be generated at the speed that that it did that it can come to market and offer this. So it's uh once again just showing uh the level of threat I think that exists within the

auto industry. So we've got to be able to do things differently. We need to be

auto industry. So we've got to be able to do things differently. We need to be able to compete nose and nose toe to toe and part of that is the speed of execution.

>> I know that their Xiaomi is scrambling to boost production right now because I think even they were overwhelmed by the demand that they saw but my understanding is they plan to go to Europe with this car in a couple of

years. So, I mean, uh, everybody better wake up. They're not just doing a great

years. So, I mean, uh, everybody better wake up. They're not just doing a great job in China. They're going to go after the rest of the world market, too.

>> Well, I think you say that for the whole Chinese auto industry kind of as a whole. In fact, at the IIA in Germany, the Chinese exhibits were generating

whole. In fact, at the IIA in Germany, the Chinese exhibits were generating probably more attention than than local European. So, it it is a uh quite a threat. You know, currently here in the United States, you've got a tariff

threat. You know, currently here in the United States, you've got a tariff barrier, but how long that happens and and will be in place. Who knows? Uh, at

best it can buy you some time to say what do we need to do? How do we get re positioned to uh to learn and then to to take action. >> Terry Wowski, always love uh being able to come over to Kerosoft, drive your vehicles, but especially to get your

insights. Thank you so much. >> Appreciate it, John. We we'll do the

insights. Thank you so much. >> Appreciate it, John. We we'll do the benchmarking our we'll uh we log all the data in our database of uh iceberg it's a you know benchmarking engineering database uh but we've also created a new

database called Eureka where we take all the insights we take the the ideas and so it's not a data platform but a knowledge platform and it basically says okay so what here's the differences what should you do about it and hopefully

that can help uh as we continue to move this industry better. It's tough, but this is what makes us strong, makes us better. And I'm quite frankly, I'm bullish. I think with the things that will that are my grandchildren will see

bullish. I think with the things that will that are my grandchildren will see are going to be amazing. >> That's great. Thanks, Jerry. >> You're welcome, John. Anytime.

>> Thanks again.