What happens when a crashed EV loses all power and the doors won't budge? Xiaomi decided that scenario ends before it starts. The new Pengcheng SUVs get three layers of door protection: an outer mechanical handle that unlocks automatically after an impact, an inner mechanical release, and a dedicated backup power source just for the locks.
And this isn't three redundant handles for show. Rescuers can open an undamaged door from outside without working electronics, while a passenger inside won't need to disengage the central lock first. If the traction battery and the low-voltage battery both fail at once, a dedicated backup power source is meant to handle the unlocking. This is Xiaomi's claim for now, not the result of an independent crash test — but it sounds convincing.
The design meets China's GB 48001-2026 standard, which becomes mandatory on January 1, 2027. The rule requires every side door to open mechanically from both outside and inside, including after restraint systems deploy or after a thermal incident in the traction battery.
The new N70 and N90 arrive ahead of the rule taking effect — Xiaomi effectively future-proofed them without waiting for the deadline. Other safety features include two exit handles on the tailgate, tire-blowout detection within 150 milliseconds, and vehicle stabilization through the brakes, steering, drivetrain, and suspension. The water-wading mode allows depths up to 750 mm, though the company calls it strictly an emergency function and warns against driving through water of unknown depth.
The numbers Xiaomi is citing are striking: 66 types of passive safety testing, 230,000 computer simulations, and 175 crash tests. The seven-seat N90 gets 12 airbags, and high-strength steel and aluminum make up 90.4% of the body. These figures come from the factory's development program — the real-world protection level still needs independent verification.
Pre-orders for the N70 Max and N90 Max are already open, priced at 259,900 and 299,900 yuan respectively. Both series hybrid models are expected to fully launch on the Chinese market in September 2026.
Tarantas.news previously reported that Xiaomi revealed the Sky Nomad's interior: the SUV will get swiveling front seats, a reconfigurable cabin, a “bar counter,” and trunk space for at least 7 suitcases with all three rows in place.
