Xiaomi has introduced its first concept car under the Vision Gran Turismo program into Gran Turismo 7 via a free update released on October 15, 2026. Xiaomi is the 36th brand to join the program and the first Chinese technology company to participate as part of its efforts to expand into the European electric vehicle market by 2027.
Xiaomi is the first Chinese technology company to join the Vision Gran Turismo program
Wind-sculpted design and superior aerodynamic efficiency
Time trial challenge at the International Circuit and extensive updates before entering Europe
Virtual racing as a strategic bridge toward global automotive markets
Frequently asked questions
Xiaomi is the first Chinese technology company to join the Vision Gran Turismo program
The first concept car created by Xiaomi under the Vision Gran Turismo program has officially become available to players in the popular game Gran Turismo 7. The electric hypercar arrived on Thursday, October 15, 2026, as part of Part 1 of the game’s free “Spec 4” update. With this move, Xiaomi has become the 36th brand to join the prestigious design program and the very first Chinese technology company to participate in this global project, according to The Straits Times.
Polyphony Digital, the game’s developer studio, quickly placed the new car at the forefront of players’ attention from the very first moment. This week’s online time trial challenge combines Xiaomi’s hypercar with the International Racing Circuit, which also made its debut in the game in the same update, according to the specialized website GTPlanet.
Series producer Kazunori Yamauchi, alongside Jean-Arthur Madelaine, head of design at the European Design Center of Xiaomi Auto’s division, announced the October launch date during the Gran Turismo World Series tour held in Singapore on October 3, according to The Straits Times. Yamauchi told the publication: “Electric vehicles can also offer a very exciting and fun driving experience; it’s just a different kind of excitement than what you get with traditional cars.”
Wind-sculpted design and superior aerodynamic efficiency
The official PlayStation blog described the Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo as a “wind-sculpted” electric hypercar. Its teardrop-shaped cockpit sits within an exterior pierced by precise air channels and ducts, while the halo-shaped taillight serves as a massive air exhaust.
Thanks to equipping the vehicle with an active rear airflow control system and innovative Accretion Rims, the car achieves a low drag coefficient of 0.29 and an aerodynamic efficiency rating of 4.1 in engineering simulation tests, according to the PlayStation blog.
Players can purchase the new car from the “Brand Central” section in the game for 1,000,000 credits, which is the usual price for Vision Gran Turismo category cars, as noted by GTPlanet. Xiaomi is also one of four brands, alongside Yangwang, Hyundai, and Polestar, highlighted in the new “Experience” mode added in the update, according to the official Gran Turismo website.
Time trial challenge at the International Circuit and extensive updates before entering Europe
The lap time challenge relies on Performance Points settings, Sports Soft tires, and fixed technical equipment. This race represents the first online time trial held on the International Circuit, which is the first new track added in the Asia-Oceania region within the game since its launch, according to the GTPlanet report. The choice of the Xiaomi car for this event sparked a division among some players who expected the Ferrari F355 Berlinetta, arriving in the same update, to be used as the event’s first car. Each challenge lasts for two weeks, and players who finish within 3% of the best global time receive a reward of 2,000,000 credits.
On a broader scale, Part 1 of the Spec 4 update, bearing version number 1.72, adds a total of six new cars, a car viewer feature, a classic car section in Brand Central, alongside six new events in World Circuits, according to TechTimes. Part 2 of the update is scheduled for release in December 2026, bringing an updated version of the “Gran Turismo Sophy” AI driver.
For Xiaomi, the rollout of this virtual car is part of a broader strategic campaign to enhance its brand position in the automotive sector globally, especially as the company plans to officially enter the electric vehicle market in the European continent during 2027, according to The Straits Times.
Virtual racing as a strategic bridge toward global automotive markets
Xiaomi’s participation in the Vision Gran Turismo program and its inclusion alongside brands like Yangwang, Hyundai, and Polestar in the new “Experience” mode demonstrates the growing importance of digital simulation platforms in building the engineering reputation of modern electric vehicle companies before launching their models in global markets.
As Polyphony Digital prepares to roll out Part 2 of the Spec 4 update in December 2026 featuring the updated version of the “Gran Turismo Sophy” AI driver, Xiaomi continues to employ this widespread interactive presence to pave the way for its anticipated official entry into the European continent’s electric vehicle market in 2027.
Frequently asked questions
Question: When did the Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo arrive in Gran Turismo 7?
Answer: The electric hypercar arrived on Thursday, October 15, 2026, as part of Part 1 of the free Spec 4 update bearing version number 1.72.
Question: What are the standout aerodynamic specifications of the Xiaomi car in the game?
Answer: It features a teardrop-shaped cockpit and a taillight that doubles as an air exhaust, achieving a drag coefficient of 0.29 and an aerodynamic efficiency rating of 4.1.
Question: How much does the car cost in the game, and what is the reward for the International Circuit challenge?
Answer: It costs 1,000,000 credits in the Brand Central section, while the two-week International Circuit challenge awards 2,000,000 credits to those who achieve a time within 3% of the leaders.
Question: What is Xiaomi’s strategic goal from this digital participation?
Answer: As the first Chinese technology company to join the program, Xiaomi aims to raise global awareness of its automotive brand in preparation for entering the European electric vehicle market in 2027.
