Yangwang U9 Track Edition goes 293 mph on Giti tyres

China’s new Yangwang U9 Track Edition just smashed the global EV speed record at the Papenburg test track. But how did the BYD sub-brand beat Rimac’s Nevera by more than 25 mph?

Performance EVs are funny creatures. While many explode to 60 mph at breakneck pace, once the speed starts to rise, conventional ICE hypercars tend to walk on by. Proving that’s not always the case, Yangwang has debuted a new fully electric machine which tops out at nearly 300 mph.

No, that’s not a typo. Powered by nothing more than electrons — albeit lots and lots of them — the U9 comes within striking distance of the world’s fastest ICE cars like the Bugatti Chiron Supersport 300+, and leaves all electric challengers in its dust.

Such speed doesn’t come easily, though. How’s this for a horsepower Top Trump? The motors produce a whopping 744 bhp. Each. And there’s four of them. That means the combined output stands at an absurd 2,977 bhp — or, about the same as two, 64-tonne M1 Abrams tanks. So despite the heft of all those batteries, the U9 still boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 1,200 bhp per tonne.

Putting such otherworldly grunt into context takes some doing. But let’s try. Flat-out (at 293 mph) the U9 will cover the length of the Eiffel tower in a shade over two seconds. Oh, and don’t think those long legs hamper its sprinting ability: 0-60 mph is ticked off in just 2.36 seconds. 

It’s even harder to keep all that power under control. Of all the tools in Yangwang’s arsenal, an independent torque-vectoring system and clever active suspension, are two of the most vital. The former ‘continuously monitors road feedback, adjusting each wheel’s torque at an ultra-high frequency that exceeds 100 times per second.’  While the latter makes ‘vertical adjustments to the suspension at each corner of the vehicle during aggressive acceleration and cornering, or on uneven surfaces. This not only suppresses pitch and roll — enhancing driver comfort and confidence — but also actively optimises the contact patch between the tyres and the road, maximising grip.’ 

Speaking of which, you might be surprised to hear the Yangwang wears lesser known (at least here in the UK) Giti tyres. Clearly, though, the specially developed semi-slick rubber must be a stout choice if it can deploy nearly 3,000 bhp and shrug off the intense stresses of 293-mph travel.

But how does it feel to go that fast in a car? Well, for German professional driver Marc Basseng, it was just another day at the office. In 2024, Basseng clocked a respectable 243 mph at the same track, but he took things up a notch upon his return this month.  He stated “Last year, I thought I'd peaked. I never expected to break my own record so soon — but here we are, at the same track, with new technologies that have made it possible.”

Do you think electric hypercars like the Yangwang will soon overtake their petrol-powered counterparts? Let us know if you think the U9 is cooler than Bugatti’s breathtaking Tourbillon or Koenigsegg’s ballistic Regera.

Hero image credit: BYD UK