Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Owners Offered Free Hood Update After Advertising Dispute

Owners of the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra are being offered a free hardware modification after months of criticism over the design of the car’s optional carbon fiber hood. Beginning March 10, 2026, customers can schedule a service appointment to have new aerodynamic components installed inside the hood’s air ducts, a move the company says will make the system functional during high-speed driving.

The work is carried out at Xiaomi service centers and takes roughly two to three hours. Technicians will install two aerodynamic vanes inside the front air duct system, allowing airflow to be directed more precisely through the vehicle’s front section.

The update applies only to vehicles equipped with the optional carbon fiber hood, an add-on that cost buyers RMB 42,000, or about €4,960. When the performance sedan launched in early 2025, Xiaomi promoted the hood as having “dual air ducts” designed to help cool key components such as the battery and wheels.

Owners who later dismantled parts of the car discovered that the ducts were not connected to any functional cooling system. Instead, they appeared to be purely decorative. The finding triggered strong reactions among some buyers who believed they had paid for performance hardware.

More than 400 owners filed complaints, and several lawsuits followed across China. The issue soon developed into what some described as a crisis of trust for the brand, particularly among early adopters of its high-end electric vehicle.

Court rulings on the matter have been mixed. In October 2025, a court in Suzhou concluded that Xiaomi’s marketing constituted false advertising and ordered the company to pay triple damages to certain buyers. A separate ruling in Changsha later sided with Xiaomi, determining that the wording used in the promotional materials was not technically misleading.

The newly introduced aerodynamic vanes are intended to resolve the dispute by giving the hood a practical function. According to Xiaomi, the system works together with the front grille to manage airflow and generate additional downforce. It activates only when the driver selects Track Mode or when the vehicle exceeds 150 kilometers per hour.

The company noted a small trade-off. Operating the aerodynamic system requires additional energy, which could slightly reduce driving range when active. Under Chinese testing standards, the standard SU7 Ultra is rated for more than 600 kilometers on a full charge.

The car itself remains one of the most powerful electric sedans on the market. It uses three electric motors producing 1,138 kilowatts, roughly 1,526 horsepower, and relies on a high-performance battery supplied by CATL designed for track-level energy demand.

Despite its performance credentials, sales have been modest. Reports from January 2026 showed only 45 units sold during the month. Xiaomi has already reduced the price significantly, setting the final retail cost at RMB 529,900 after earlier projections had reached RMB 814,900.

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For now, the free hood update appears to be Xiaomi’s attempt to close a chapter that has followed the model since its launch. By making the disputed feature operational, the company is addressing a problem that began with marketing claims but ultimately became a question of customer confidence.