Xiaomi SU7 Owners Revolt After 600 HP Removed in Software Update

Xiaomi cut 600 horsepower from SU7 Ultra via update, requiring a racetrack test to unlock full power. Backlash led to reversal and promised transparency.

Xiaomi found itself at the center of a controversy after it pushed a software update that . Owners who had paid for a staggering 1,548 horsepower and a sub-two-second 0-60 time suddenly found themselves behind the wheel of a car with “only” 900 horsepower—and without any prior notice.

This wasn’t a bug or a glitch. The update was intentional. Xiaomi decided that the car’s full power was “unsuitable for public roads”. To access the full performance, drivers had to complete a “qualifying lap time assessment” at an approved racetrack. Additionally, a 60-second delay was added before enabling launch control, seemingly to prevent impulsive drag starts at traffic lights.

The backlash was swift. On social media, owners voiced their frustration, arguing that they had paid for the full specs and should be able to use them freely. While some defended Xiaomi’s safety-first stance, the majority criticized the unilateral change. The uproar grew loud enough that Xiaomi reversed the update, restoring the SU7 Ultra’s original performance capabilities.

This episode highlights the evolving nature of modern cars. Vehicles like the SU7 Ultra are not just machines—they’re rolling software platforms, subject to over-the-air updates much like smartphones. But this also raises new questions about ownership: when a feature can be removed remotely, does the buyer truly own the product?

Xiaomi has since promised greater transparency in future updates. Given the SU7’s strong sales and enthusiastic reception, the controversy is unlikely to seriously damage the brand’s reputation. Still, it has sparked an important conversation about consumer rights and digital control in the age of connected cars.

Source: insideevs.com