Gran Turismo 7 introduces its first Chinese car, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra EV, marking a shift in global automotive culture. Experience high-performance racing in this iconic simulator.
© A. Krivonosov
Gran Turismo 7 has introduced its first Chinese car, marking more than just a new addition to its roster—it signals a significant shift in the global automotive landscape. On January 29, 2026, the iconic racing simulator officially added the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, a high-performance electric vehicle that showcases how rapidly Chinese brands are climbing to world-class status.
Developed by Polyphony Digital for PlayStation, Gran Turismo 7 is renowned for its precision and extensive car collection, traditionally dominated by European and Japanese giants like Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-AMG. Against this backdrop, Xiaomi’s appearance—a company most widely known for smartphones—came as a surprising but impactful move. The SU7 Ultra’s entry into this elite virtual league is seen as a breakthrough for the Chinese auto industry.
The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra itself boasts impressive specs: its multi-motor electric powertrain delivers 1,550 horsepower, and it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in under two seconds. These figures place the EV alongside million-dollar supercars. Now, players can experience that power on famous tracks like the Nürburgring in digital form.
Work on the in-game model began in collaboration with Gran Turismo’s creators in June 2025, with a focus on achieving maximum accuracy—from how light reflects off the body to the distinctive sound of its electric motors. For Xiaomi, this isn’t just gaming content; it’s a way to prove its electric cars deserve to stand alongside the world’s fastest vehicles. The SU7 Ultra’s debut could pave the way for other Chinese brands. There are already hints that the BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme might soon join the simulator—a model that hit nearly 500 km/h during tests in Germany and set a record lap time at the Nürburgring for production electric cars.
Overall, Gran Turismo 7 is becoming a platform where a new automotive reality takes shape: Chinese EVs are increasingly entering not just roads but also the global cultural sphere of motorsport and gaming. In practice, the technologies tested in such extreme machines will eventually trickle down to everyday mass-market electric cars.