Xiaomi Pengcheng N70 Max at 259,900 RMB: Pricing logic for range-extender SUVs and the invisible AI battlefield

I noticed an interesting detail: Lei Jun didn't spend the launch event talking big about "smart cockpits" or "autonomous driving." Instead, he repeatedly emphasized "AWD," "310kW," and "190km/h"—specs that feel a bit overkill for a range-extender SUV. The core selling point of range-extenders has never been performance, but rather "no range anxiety." Yet Xiaomi insists on making this range-extender a dual-motor AWD vehicle, likely with a 0-100km/h acceleration time under 5 seconds. This actually reveals a fundamental judgment: Xiaomi doesn't want to just be a "budget Li Auto." It wants to use the range-extender technology route to snatch users from traditional fuel SUVs who are still hesitating about switching to EVs.