Xiaomi has been enjoying success thanks to its cutting-edge automobiles, but it was recently placed in a literal hot seat. A video of flames emanating from the YU7 Max SUV’s brakes surfaced following a track test. Given the YU7 Max’s remarkable specs—which include 682 horsepower and 639 lb-ft of torque—this has sparked concerns. Let’s examine what transpired and Xiaomi’s reaction.
With 289,000 pre-orders, the YU7 Max, an incredibly powerful SUV, has garnered a lot of interest. Concern was raised, though, when the car’s brakes caught fire during a media track test. The brake temperature, which was just below the melting point of aluminum at a startling 619 degrees Celsius (1,146 degrees Fahrenheit), was measured by technicians standing close to the flames in the video.
Xiaomi has minimized the problem, referring to the fire as a “totally normal” occurrence in spite of the dramatic video. The company clarified that the low-metallic brake pads’ organic materials, which are known to catch fire at temperatures higher than 600 degrees Celsius, were the cause of the flames. Xiaomi went on to explain that the YU7 Max’s brakes performed flawlessly throughout the fire and that there were no negative effects on performance.
The car’s failure to use its regenerative braking system was a major contributing factor in the collision. With its “Master Mode” and “Enhanced Energy Recovery,” the YU7 Max can use fewer friction brakes. However, the car only used friction braking during the test, which pushed the system to its breaking point because of its 2.3-ton weight.
Despite being uncommon, this incident seems different from earlier brake failures in other Xiaomi models. Two SU7 sedans experienced devastating brake failures last year, but the problems were attributed to brake parts that weren’t suitable for racing. The YU7 Max’s brakes, on the other hand, are built for excellent performance even though they are put through rigorous testing, and it is not anticipated that the fire will compromise the vehicle’s general functionality or safety.
