Luxeed Unveils Zhijie R7 EV with Liu Yifei as Ambassador, Powered by Huawei’s AI‑Driven HarmonyOS System

Liu Yifei, celebrated for her roles in “The Forbidden Kingdom” and the recent “Mulan” remake, appears in a series of 3‑D anaglyph videos that have popped up across Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, inviting fans to picture themselves beside the sleek new vehicle. In promotional copy she is repeatedly referred to as the “智美搭子” – literally a “smart‑beauty partner” – a phrase that underscores the campaign’s blend of high‑tech appeal and lifestyle aspiration.

The cars themselves are built on Huawei’s HarmonyOS Smart Travel ecosystem, a suite of connected services spearheaded by the company’s consumer‑tech chief, Richard Yu. At a press conference earlier this month, Yu announced Liu Yifei’s appointment and highlighted the deep integration of Huawei’s Turing AI platform, which serves as the vehicle’s central “brain.” The platform merges voice control, navigation, infotainment and driver‑assistance functions into a single, cloud‑enabled interface.

Among the technical upgrades, the most talked‑about is the new ADS 4 (Advanced Driving System) that leverages a rear high‑precision solid‑state LiDAR alongside distributed millimeter‑wave radar. Early test videos show the system detecting suspended obstacles in congested urban streets and delivering smooth, semi‑autonomous maneuvers. Reviewers have also praised the “curved suspension pre‑adjustment” that reduces body roll on winding roads, and a torque‑recovery algorithm designed to lessen motion‑sickness – a nod to the R7’s “dual zero‑gravity seats” that promise a yacht‑like experience for driver and passenger alike.

Inside, the R7’s cabin is billed as “class” in spaciousness, offering 956 mm of legroom and 1,034 mm of headroom. A large rear sofa, marketed as a “comfort lounge,” is meant to transform long trips into lounge‑style outings, complete with a mic‑less karaoke mode (dubbed “K‑TV 2.0”). The interior’s wrap‑around cockpit layout, combined with the vehicle’s external power‑output capabilities, reinforces the brand’s positioning as a high‑tech lifestyle partner rather than a mere means of transport.

Pricing has been a focal point of the conversation on Chinese social media. Pre‑orders open at 258,000 RMB (about $36,000), a price that places the R7 squarely in the fiercely competitive 250,000‑yuan electric SUV segment. Users are already debating the value proposition with comments such as “Can this car fight?” and “Would you choose it for 250,000?” The sentiment is largely optimistic; many point to the R7’s previous iteration, which reportedly sold more than 15,000 units per month, as evidence that the new model can sustain momentum.

The launch is also a testament to a marketing strategy. Originally slated for the Shanghai Auto Show, the event was delayed and re‑branded as “Zhijie Brand Night,” a glitzy affair that leveraged Liu Yifei’s star power and Huawei’s tech gravitas to generate buzz online before the physical rollout. The shift appears to have paid off: videos of the R7 cruising through cityscapes, families setting up improvised camping setups in the back, and influencers testing the ADS 4 in real‑world traffic have collectively amassed millions of views within days.

Industry observers see the Zhijie R7 as a litmus test for Huawei’s broader ambitions in the automotive arena. By marrying a celebrity ambassador with a sophisticated AI ecosystem, the company hopes to differentiate its offerings from the flood of domestic EVs that dominate China’s highways. If the early consumer response is any indication, the combination of Liu Yifei’s glamorous endorsement, cutting‑edge driver‑assist technology, and a focus on comfort and lifestyle could indeed carve a niche for Zhijie in the next wave of smart mobility.