BYD goes (very) upmarket with Yangwang U9 supercar

Until now, China’s biggest EV car manufacturer, BYD, was best known for its low-cost electric cars. That hasn’t stopped the Chinese EV maker from taking on new market segments.

Its latest: luxury electric supercars. BYD’s first electric supercar, the Yangwang U9, has entered production ahead of deliveries later this summer.

Yangwang

Yangwang was launched in January 2023 as BYD’s new premium business and personal brand. The U9 was showcased alongside the brand’s full-size U8 SUV, a Mercedes-Benz G-Glass rival. Somewhat later, the Yangwang U7 was launched, a sedan that challenged German premium brands.

After hyping up the U9 for several months, showing off dance moves and other fun features, BYD’s first electric supercar was officially launched in February. BYD opened U9 pre-orders, starting at 1,680,000 yuan (€214,000).

Now, the Yangwang U9 has entered production. Deliveries will begin in late August as the models are rolled out to dealerships. BYD also updated the warranty to cover its battery, motors, and electric control system over the vehicle’s lifetime.

Ferrari or Lamborghini rival

With four advanced e-motors, nearly 1,300 horsepower, and 1,680 Nm of torque, the U9 can sprint from 0 to 100 kph in 2.36 seconds. To put that in perspective, Ferrari’s twin-turbo V8 SF90 Stradale hits 100 kph in 2.5 seconds and the Bugatti Chiron in 2.4 seconds.

At 4,966 mm long, 2,029 mm wide, and 1,295 mm tall, the Yangwang U9 is roughly the size of a Lamborghini Aventador (4,943 mm, 2,098 mm, 1,136 mm, respectively). It sits on the e4 Platform and has a top speed of 309,2 kph.

The upscale interior features BYD’s latest software and connectivity tech. With DiLink and DiPilot, BYD claims the U9 has “the smartest supercar cockpit,” complete with two LCD screens, a 10.25″ driver display and 12.3″ infotainment. Some models include an added 10.25″ passenger screen.

Powered by a relatively modest 80 kWh battery (capacity-wise), BYD’s first electric supercar has an (optimistic) CLTC range of up to 450 km. It can also fast charge (30% to 80%) in 10 minutes.

Upscale ‘bargain’

BYD’s U9 electric supercar was spotted racing around the Nurburgring last month with red-hot brake discs.  These thorough tests were the last probe ahead of deliveries. At the beginning of July, the U9 was also seen at the Goodwood Festival of Speed among a big bunch of supercars.

At €214,000, the U9 costs less than half of a 2024 Ferrari SF90 Stradale (€485,000), and sources say that Ferrari’s first EV will cost at least €500,000. Even with the additional import tariffs Europe is foreseeing for Chinese cars, the U9 will cost less than €280,000.

Also, in the higher car spheres, BYD succeeds in putting competitive pressure on its rivals. Ferrari’s CEO Benedetto Vigna has already warned that surging Chinese EV markers are “a call to action for Europe”.