In late November, the highly anticipated launch of the Huawei Luxeed S7 is set to make waves in the electric vehicle (EV) market, and it’s causing quite a stir, especially for Tesla. China’s EV industry has surged ahead, leaving even established players like Ford acknowledging that the US isn’t quite prepared to compete on the same level.
Luxeed, a collaborative effort between tech giant Huawei and the state-owned Chery Automobile, is the latest entrant into China’s bustling EV segment. Richard Yu Chengdong, the head of Huawei’s car unit, recently asserted that the Luxeed S7 will outshine Tesla’s Model S in various ways, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
The Luxeed S7 is set to harness the best technologies from both of its parent companies, promising an impressive array of features. While official specifications are still under wraps, the Luxeed S7 has put a target squarely on the back of the Model S, signifying its intent to compete aggressively.
Although the specific details behind the claim of superiority remain somewhat mysterious, one could speculate that Chengdong might be referring to the powertrain. If so, it’s reasonable to assume that the Luxeed S7 aims to match or surpass the Model S’ impressive 670-horsepower dual-motor configuration, which also boasts an EPA-rated range of 405 miles. In fact, Tesla’s flagship Plaid model, with its astounding 1,020 horsepower from a tri-motor setup, can sprint from zero to 60 mph in a mind-boggling 1.99 seconds, firmly establishing itself as one of the fastest electric vehicles globally.
Notably, Zeekr, another Chinese automaker, took a bold stance by dubbing the Plaid as “dull.” Zeekr even disclosed the power output of its Plaid challenger, the 001 FR, boasting an impressive 1,265-horsepower quad-motor setup.
It has recently come to light that the Luxeed S7 will be built upon Chery’s EoX platform, featuring a dual-motor configuration. While this version may not be an immediate direct competitor to the Plaid, there’s speculation that Luxeed may have plans for more potent iterations down the road. Additionally, the Luxeed S7 is expected to source its batteries from CATL, a Chinese battery manufacturer that also supplies components to Tesla.
The Luxeed S7 is scheduled to make its debut in late November, but it faces a significant challenge due to US government sanctions on Huawei, which prohibit its entry into the American market. Nevertheless, it will still compete head-to-head with Tesla in its home country, setting the stage for a compelling showdown. As the Luxeed S7 aims to deliver on its bold claims, the EV industry eagerly awaits the results of this intriguing battle.
