Xiaomi has been talking up its automotive ambitions for years. The company’s SU7 EV has proved popular in its home country; the new Skynomad N90 Max hybrid might become even more so. At least, for larger families with camping ambitions.
See, the N90 Max may just live up to its name. The hybrid SUV features seven seats, massive range, and (in China), a sub-R1 million price tag. It’s also packing a few cabin-conversion features that’ll make it more attractive for day trips. For weekend outings? There’s also the Xiaomi Skynomad N90 Max Camping Edition.
Reach for the Skynomad
First, the vehicle itself. Rather, the vehicles. The N90 Max is the seven-seater version, a 5.28-metre SUV that emphasises its “expansive interior space, a completely flat cabin floor, and reconfigurable seating.” The company also debuted a less-exciting N70 Max, a five-seat version of its electric SUV. The N90 packs a 76kWh battery, a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, and a 60-litre fuel tank. Xiaomi reckons drivers will nab up to 1,700km on a single tank/charge. That’s one heck of a road trip.
Used on battery only, the Skynomad N90 Max is supposed to provide 464km of range. The smaller vehicle will supposedly up this number to 505km. The N90’s electric motors are capable of 310 kW of peak power, but you probably won’t be driving it that way. If you drive it at all. But you’ll want to.
Xiaomi is particularly proud of its interior. The ‘standard’ version lets passengers reconfigure the rear cabin in several ways. The two rear rows of seats can be turned to face each other, with a table popping up between them. It’d be a bit like riding a luxury train, in terms of presentation. Otherwise, the rear seats can be converted to loungers for travel where passengers need to take long, comfortable naps.
Glamping trip
The company’s convertible seating arrangement offers several other setups, including a seated table, but extends as far as an actual bed, with a maximum length of 2.3 metres. Combined with the Xiaomi N90 Max Camping Edition’s features, it’s probably all you’d need for an extended trip in the bush. The Camping Edition includes a pop-up rooftop tent, attachment points for tents, and a detachable table. Generally, South Africans pay extra for that sort of SUV conversion.
Also included as optional extras are an installable fridge and overhead speakers. But, as we’ve mentioned, the vehicle is currently only on sale in China. There, it’s up for pre-order for about R740,000 (RMB300,000). Here? It probably wouldn’t be quite so reasonable. The company is expected to start selling its vehicles in Europe next year. Perhaps it’ll be moving to the Southern hemisphere next. Hey, we can dream.
