On August 26, 2025, BYD's premium brand, Yangwang Auto, announced that its flagship supercar, the Yangwang U9 engineering test vehicle, had officially broken the world electric car speed record, reaching a top speed of 472.41 km/h. This milestone achievement not only surpasses the previous Chinese speed record of 391.94 km/h set by the same model last year, but also marks a technological breakthrough for the Chinese automotive industry in the supercar sector.
Looking back on its development history, the Yangwang U9 has continuously broken multiple records since its launch on February 25, 2024:
October 26, 2024: Became China's fastest production car at 391.94 km/h;
November 4, 2024: Set a lap time of 7 minutes and 17 seconds on the Nürburgring Nordschleife;
January 21, 2025: Became the first Chinese supercar to reach 100 units delivered;
As of August 21, 2025: Cumulative deliveries have reached 149 units.
According to the 398th batch of new car announcements from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the record-breaking Yangwang The U9 Performance Edition is equipped with four TZ240XYA electric motors, each with a peak power of 555kW (approximately 755 horsepower), for a total system power of 3019 horsepower—equivalent to the combined horsepower of 23 Nissan Sylphys and even exceeding the power output of two Bugatti Chirons.
|
Core Parameters |
Standard Edition |
Performance Edition |
|
Motor layout |
Four motors (front + rear) |
Four motors (front + rear) |
|
Total power |
960kW (1305 horsepower) |
2220kW (3019 horsepower) |
|
Peak torque |
1680N·m |
- |
|
0-100km/h acceleration |
2.36 seconds |
- |
|
Extreme Speed |
375.12km/h (measured) |
472.41km/h (new record) |
|
Curb weight |
2475kg |
2480kg |
|
Battery capacity |
80kWh lithium iron phosphate |
80kWh lithium iron phosphate |
|
Fast charging time (30%-80%) |
10 minutes |
10 minutes |
|
CLTC battery life |
450km |
- |
In terms of dimensions, the Performance Edition is available in two sizes: length 4966/4991mm (due to different front shovels), width remains at 2029mm, height 1311/1351mm (due to rear wing configuration), and wheelbase remains at 2900mm. A carbon fiber roof is standard, with a reinforced carbon fiber front shovel and electric rear wing optional.
2.1 Four-Motor Vector Control System
The Yangwang U9 is equipped with BYD's exclusive "Yi Sifang" technology platform, which utilizes four independent motors for precise torque vectoring. The system can dynamically adjust the torque distribution thousands of times per second. This layout not only delivers impressive power but also achieves handling precision unmatched by traditional mechanical differentials.
2.2 Yunnian-X Intelligent Chassis
The innovative fully active suspension system offers adjustable firmness and height, reducing ground clearance to 95mm in Track mode. Combined with the front double wishbone and rear multi-link suspension structure, it significantly enhances high-speed stability. Tests show that this system improves cornering grip by 30% and roll suppression by 50%.
2.3 Extremely Lightweight Design
The vehicle features a 110kg carbon fiber monocoque body, achieving a torsional rigidity of 54,425 Nm/deg. Twelve aerodynamic components (including an active rear wing and diffuser) reduce the drag coefficient to 0.24 and generate 300kg of downforce at 300km/h.
2.4 Breakthrough Thermal Management System
Equipped with a track-grade cooling solution, including liquid cooling for the motor, battery, and brake system, it supports unlimited launch starts without performance degradation.
The Yangwang U9 adopts a "Gate of Time" design language. Its most recognizable elements include:
Interstellar Headlights: C-shaped matrix LEDs with a radiant daytime running light pattern;
Powered Butterfly Doors: Frameless design with hidden door handles;
Space Shuttle Body: A slender 4966mm body with a fastback roofline;
Red Cloud Red Paint: The most striking of three exclusive metallic paint options;
The interior features a "double-surround star-shaped cockpit" layout, with a mix of carbon fiber and suede materials and a contrasting Red Cloud color scheme. It features a 12.3-inch vertically mounted center console, a 10.25-inch full LCD instrument panel, and a passenger entertainment screen, along with a Dynaudio Platinum 12-speaker audio system.
As China's first pure electric supercar, priced at RMB 1.68 million, the launch of the Yangwang U9 Performance Edition marks multiple milestones:
Technical Benchmark: Demonstrates that Chinese brands have reached world-class levels in motor power density, thermal management, and electronic control technology;
Cultural Symbol: Breaks the long-standing dominance of European and American brands in the supercar market;
Commercial Breakthrough: The first Chinese supercar to achieve mass delivery demonstrates its acceptance in the high-end market;
BYD officials stated that the technological achievements accumulated from this record-breaking engineering test vehicle will be gradually transferred to mass-produced models. With the Yangwang U9 Performance Edition about to challenge the Nürburgring again, the exploration of the limits of Chinese supercars continues.
