Yangwang U9 Track Edition sets new top speed record for an EV
A new global top speed record for an electric vehicle has been set by a car you’ve probably never heard of, the 2977bhp Yangway U9 Track Edition.
Yangwang, the luxury sister brand of BYD, secured the 472.41 km/h (293.54 mph) time at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in Germany earlier this month, on August 8th. The electric hypercar was driven by German driver Marc Basseng, who beat his own previous record time of 438.7 km/h (272.59 mph) from 2024 in the Aspark SP600.
Commenting on the new record, Basseng said, “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.”
Yangwang U9 Track Edition - The Lowdown
The Track Edition is based on the Yangwang U9, currently for sale in China at around £184,000 to £185,000. The same road-going version was unveiled at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, with BYD saying at the time it had no plans to make it available to purchase in Europe, not under the Yangwang name at least. However, those plans now appear to have changed, and further eyes will be drawn to the brand following its achievement in Germany.
Built on the e4 Platform and DiSus-X used on the standard U9, the Track Edition is built for record-breaking speed and while many brands implement an 800V platform to their new electric cars, this features the world’s first mass-produced 1200V ultra-high-voltage vehicle platform, paired with a thermal-management system optimised for extreme conditions. The Track Edition also features the world’s first quad-motor system capable of 30,000rpm and has an overall output of 2977bhp, 1689bhp more than the standard U9.
There is also an independent torque-vectoring system that continuously monitors road feedback, adjusting each wheel’s torque at over 100 times per second.
Extensive testing in Germany during 2024 enabled Yangwang to perfect the U9 Track Edition for its record breaking run. This included working with Giti Tire to develop a track-focused semi-slick tyre with improved stability during dynamic manoeuvres.
Which brand will be challenging this record in the future?
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words: Mike Booth
pictures: BYD UK