When you picture a McLaren, you probably imagine a low-slung, lightning-fast supercar. A high-tech SUV from a Chinese electronics giant like Xiaomi likely conjures images of sleek, electric urban cruisers. So, what happens when these two seemingly disparate worlds collide? Apparently, something surprisingly similar looking. The rendered images of the McLaren P47 and the Xiaomi YU7 share an uncanny resemblance, making you do a double-take.
From their side profiles to their sweeping rooflines, flush door handles, and even those distinctive rear taillights, the similarities are striking. Sure, one is a hybrid supercar masquerading as an SUV, and the other is a feature-packed electric family hauler. But even these early McLaren renderings suggest that telling them apart at a glance might be tougher than you’d think. For a truly apples-to-apples comparison on the performance front, we’d really need to pit the McLaren P47 against Xiaomi’s rumored YU7 GT, which promises even sportier specs. However, since the GT’s full details are still under wraps, we will move ahead with the standard YU7 for now.
Meet the McLaren P47
McLaren is diving headfirst into uncharted territory with its very first SUV. The P47 is set to be a four-door, five-seat hybrid SUV, and it aims to infuse McLaren’s supercar DNA into a more versatile package. Expect a low, wide stance, aerodynamic curves, and those signature split-flush headlights that scream McLaren. Interestingly, its side profile and sleek roofline, along with the rear taillights, already draw parallels to the Xiaomi YU7.
It is worth noting that these P47 images are Motor1 renderings and might not fully capture the final production design. Motor1 reports that while McLaren has not publicly tested an SUV, they recently showcased a clay model to their global dealers. Attendees described it as “sculpted and muscular,” reportedly larger than a Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, with bold 24-inch wheels and deep scallops along the front doors for improved aerodynamics. The rendering gives us a peek at a low-slung SUV featuring McLaren’s characteristic lighting, a unique liftgate, slim horizontal taillights, and substantial dual exhaust tips. All of which contributes to a sporty, exotic vibe. Naturally, the final production version might evolve, but the current vision is certainly compelling.
Meet the Xiaomi YU7
The YU7 is a pure electric SUV built on Xiaomi’s advanced Modena platform. It stretches 4,999 mm in length, 1,996 mm in width, and 1,608 mm in height, boasting a generous 3,000 mm wheelbase. Available in Standard, Pro, and Max trims, its power output ranges from 235 kW (315 hp) to a potent 508 kW (approximately 681 hp). Battery capacities vary from 96.3 kWh to 101.7 kWh, offering a CLTC-rated range of 760 to 835 km. The YU7’s interior is a tech enthusiast’s dream, featuring a panoramic HyperVision display, adaptive massage seats, and cutting-edge ADAS hardware, including LiDAR, radar, and multiple cameras. Its 800V fast-charging architecture ensures it is not just practical for daily commutes but also ready for those longer road trips.
Pricing for the YU7 trims (in USD) breaks down like this:
- Standard: about $35,000
- Pro: about $39,000
- Max: about $46,000
| Metric | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) | 3.2-5.9 | s | Xiaomi YU7 (Max-Standard) |
| Peak power | 235-508 | kW | Xiaomi YU7 |
| Range (CLTC) | 760-835 | km | Xiaomi YU7 |
| Battery capacity (usable / gross) | 96.3-101.7 | kWh | Xiaomi YU7 |
| Architecture | 800 | V | Xiaomi YU7 fast charging |
| Length | 4,999 | mm | Xiaomi YU7 |
| Width | 1,996 | mm | Xiaomi YU7 |
| Height | 1,608 | mm | Xiaomi YU7 |
| Wheelbase | 3,000 | mm | Xiaomi YU7 |
While the P47 focuses on pure driving dynamics and exotic performance, the YU7 leans into practicality, convenience, and a wealth of high-tech features. Interestingly enough, rumors suggest that Xiaomi is also looking into hybrid vehicles, which could potentially bridge this gap further down the line.
Design
The P47 is expected to flaunt aggressive styling, a sporty stance, a low roofline, and flowing side profiles, all of which seem to mirror the YU7’s sleek silhouette. Even the rear taillights, stretching crisply across the tailgate, look strikingly similar. The YU7, on the other hand, masterfully balances aerodynamic SUV proportions with a futuristic EV aesthetic, highlighted by its tech-heavy interior that boasts hidden door handles, expansive panoramic displays, customizable massage seats, and advanced ADAS. At its core, the P47 is a supercar reimagined as an SUV, while the YU7 is a high-tech electric SUV that just happens to share some cool styling cues with its exotic counterpart. It is a testament to how far Chinese automotive design has come.
Our Take
Despite these uncanny visual parallels, from the side profile to the roofline and those familiar tail lights, the P47 and YU7 are fundamentally different machines. McLaren’s P47, based on those Motor1 renderings, aims to deliver hybrid supercar performance in a four-door SUV package, likely hitting the market around 2028 with a price tag somewhere in the low $300,000 range. On the flip side, Xiaomi offers a fully electric, tech-rich SUV built for everyday driving, starting at around $35,000. It makes you wonder, does Xiaomi have a knack for styling? Even if the final McLaren design shifts, the current resemblance is enough to make anyone do a double-take. Is that a multi-hundred-thousand-dollar hybrid SUV, or a cutting-edge Chinese EV with serious design chops? Either way, the similarity is undeniable, proving that in today’s competitive SUV world, brands from entirely different universes can sometimes end up dressing surprisingly alike. And with companies like Xiaomi making significant strides in the EV market, this visual convergence might become more common. This is a clear indicator that the Chinese car industry is rapidly evolving and pushing boundaries further with each new release.
