After unveiling its electric supercar at the start of this year, BYD has now unleashed the Yangwang U9 onto the iconic Nurburgring race track. The U9, a true powerhouse with over 1,200 horsepower, aims to challenge established supercar manufacturers, marking a significant milestone for the company.
Under the Yangwang brand, BYD’s luxury division, the U9 made its debut alongside the U8 SUV, the latter positioning itself as a rival to the likes of the Mercedes G-Class. With a starting price exceeding $150,000, the U8 has already carved its niche in the luxury SUV market. The U9, on the other hand, aims higher, venturing into the realm of supercars with a price tag of around $232,000 (RMB 1,680,000) at current exchange rates.
Equipped with four electric motors generating 1,287 horsepower and 1,627 Nm of torque, the U9 boasts a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of just 2.36 seconds. This puts it on par with and even surpasses, the acceleration times of several gasoline-powered supercars, including Ferrari’s SF90 Stradale (2.5 s).
The U9’s recent test runs at the Nurburgring provide a glimpse of its capabilities. Videos captured by CarSpyMedia showcase the electric supercar effortlessly navigating the challenging corners of the track, demonstrating agility that belies its hefty 2,475 kg weight and demonstrating it has plenty of power.
Measuring 4,966 mm in length, 2,029 mm in width, and 1,295 mm in height, the U9’s dimensions are comparable to those of a Lamborghini Aventador. Inside, BYD claims the U9 features “the smartest supercar cockpit,” incorporating DiLink and DiPilot systems, along with multiple LCD screens.
While the U9’s performance impresses, its reliance on BYD’s lithium iron phosphate “Blade” battery raises some questions about its range. With an 80 kWh capacity, BYD claims a range of around 467 km on the Chinese CLTC cycle, which is known to be more lenient than real-world driving conditions.
Despite these potential limitations, the U9 is a huge step forward for BYD and the Chinese automotive industry. It signals their ambition to compete on the global stage, not only in the mass-market EV segment but also in the high-performance luxury sector.
Sure, the U9 faces stiff competition from established supercar brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini, as well as emerging players such as Lotus and GAC Aion. Whether BYD can successfully challenge these established players and convince buyers to choose an electric supercar over a gasoline-powered one is a big “if.” An even bigger “if” is whether customers will forgo established luxury brands for a Chinese newcomer. It’s a tough ask, but Yangwang deserves credit for trying.
The BYD Yangwang U9 has injected a new level of excitement into the EV landscape, demonstrating that electric cars can be both luxurious and exhilarating. The U9 will undoubtedly spark conversations and debates about the future of supercars and the role of electric power in the high-performance automotive world.