Do Carbon Fiber Hoods Enhance Performance? Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Analysis

With the delivery of the first batch of Xiaomi SU7 Ultra with the punch-hole version, the carbon fiber dual-duct front hood, which costs an additional 42,000 yuan, has unexpectedly become the focus of attention. Many car owners are questioning the actual functionality of this expensive component.

After disassembling the front hood, some bloggers found that its structure does not bring significant downforce or cooling effects. Some car owners even conducted ventilation tests using a hairdryer, and the tissue paper remained motionless, even though the vehicle’s front grille was open at the time.

This is inconsistent with the official claim of “two aerodynamic ducts for efficient air guidance at the front.”

Chinese well-known car reviewer Chen Zhen also pointed out on social media that if the publicity emphasizes aerodynamic effects, then there is a clear gap between the production version and the prototype. Its function is more about the minimal discharge of hot air, rather than providing substantial track-level aerodynamic performance.

In response to the controversy, Xiaomi Auto issued a statement last night, admitting that the previous information was not clearly expressed and apologizing.

They also introduced two remedial measures: for undelivered orders, there is an opportunity to switch to an aluminum front hood within a limited time; for users who have already taken delivery or locked in the configuration, they will be given 20,000 points as a gift.

Xiaomi emphasized that the carbon fiber area of this component is 1.73 square meters, and the vehicle is reduced in weight by 1.3 kilograms as a result. They also noted that the SU7 Ultra tested on various tracks recently all used the carbon fiber dual-duct front hood to verify its practicality.

This incident also serves as a reminder to automakers that they must be more restrained and transparent in their publicity. Even if it is just an exterior part, as long as the official mentions “aerodynamics” or “auxiliary cooling,” users have every reason to believe that it will deliver the corresponding effects.