BYD’s overclocked electric hypercar has set a top speed record in Germany. The 3,000-hp YangWang U9 Track Edition, which was leaked only a few weeks ago, reached a top speed of 472 km/h at the ATP test track in Papenburg. And even faster seemed possible, were it not for some stability issues.
The electric performance race seems to be on. After Rimac’s record run with the Nevera R and Mercedes-AMG’s distance record with the AMG GT XX, BYD has entered the ring with its latest electric hypercar. But, unlike the name suggests, the YangWang U9 Track Edition didn’t break any lap records.
Targeting Rimac’s Nevera R
In this case, BYD has focused on the top speed record for electric vehicles. The absolute record is in the hands of Ohio State University’s Venturi Buckeye Bullet 3, which hit 549.4 km/h in 2016. However, as BYD plans to actually build the YangWang U9 Track Edition, the target is the Rimac Nevera R, which reached 431.453 km/h just last month.
With four electric motors, each producing 555 kW (755 hp), the BYD Yangwang U9 Track Edition boasts a total power output exceeding 2,200 kW (3,000 hp). It also uses the world’s first 1200-volt battery platform, paired with a vehicle thermal management solution optimized for extreme operating conditions to enhance track performance. Specially-developed Giti semi-slick tires also supported the Track Edition in its top speed run.
And it’s safe to say the YangWang U9 Track Edition smashed the record. At Germany’s ATP test track in Papenburg, the electric hypercar hit a top speed of 472.41 km/h. That puts it in the same league as gas-powered hypercars from Bugatti, Koenigsegg, SSC, and Hennessey.
And it seems that going even faster was possible, as the U9 Track Edition was still accelerating when it hit the 472 km/h mark. However, the car wasn’t stable at these speeds, with racing driver Marc Basseng having to make constant corrections on the steering wheel before eventually slowing down to safer speeds.
Two variants?
Indeed, the YangWang U9 Track Edition that broke the record was different than the model that was first shown in China’s MIIT publication earlier this month.
The record car is missing the large rear wing that would undoubtedly help with stability, although at the cost of some aerodynamic drag and thus some top speed potential.
BYD may be planning to produce two variants of the YangWang U9 Track Edition: one with the rear wing, set up for cornering and track driving, and one without the wing, built for top speed. It’s the same strategy as Koenigsegg is doing with its Jesko models, which are also setting records.
Pricing of the new Track Edition is not yet known. The ‘regular’ U9, with only 1,288 hp on tap, is for sale in China for 1.68 million yuan (approximately €202,400). The Track Edition will likely be significantly more expensive, but still considerably cheaper than the hypercars from Western brands.
