The race to dominate the electric hypercar world just got a new leader. On August 8, 2025, BYD’s high-performance brand Yangwang stunned the automotive world when its U9 Track Edition set a breathtaking top speed of 472.41 km/h at the ATP Automotive Testing facility in Papenburg, Germany. This remarkable feat not only reset the global benchmark for electric vehicles but also placed BYD firmly in the spotlight as a true disruptor in the hypercar space.
Packing Over 3,000 Horses of Pure Power
What makes this record so impressive is not just the speed, but the sheer power driving it. The U9 Track Edition is equipped with four motors, one for each wheel, spinning up to 30,000 rpm. Each motor is capable of producing around 755 horsepower, bringing the combined output to a jaw-dropping figure of more than 3,000 horsepower. To put this in perspective, this makes it one of the most powerful road-legal EVs ever created, easily outmuscling the likes of the Rimac Nevera and the Lotus Evija.
What’s New and Why It Matters
While the U9 Track Edition shares much of its DNA with the standard U9, it has been fine-tuned to thrive on the track. Engineers have fitted it with special semi-slick, track-ready tires from Giti Tire, giving it a grip advantage that’s crucial at such extreme speeds. Aerodynamic tweaks like a fixed carbon-fiber rear wing, an adjustable diffuser, and an optional carbon-fiber splitter provide added downforce and stability. Even with its weight creeping up to nearly 2.5 tonnes, the car’s performance-focused design ensures it stays firmly planted, even as it approaches aircraft-like speeds.
Stay in Control with Easy Suspension
One of the most intriguing elements carried over from the standard U9 is BYD’s DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control system. This advanced suspension setup does more than smoothen bumps it allows the car to execute jumps, tilt in ways that enhance handling, and even maneuver on three wheels. On the Track Edition, this suspension works in harmony with the powerful motors and aerodynamic bodywork to deliver control that matches the raw speed. It’s a reminder that performance isn’t just about horsepower, it’s about making every ounce of that power usable.
A Record That Tells a Story
Breaking through the 472 km/h barrier isn’t just about numbers on a speedometer. It’s a signal to the entire automotive industry that electric hypercars are no longer chasing combustion engines they are surpassing them. The standard Yangwang U9 had already turned heads with its Nurburgring lap time and previous top-speed attempts, but the Track Edition has taken things into uncharted territory.
Why This Matters for the Future of EVs
The Yangwang U9 Track Edition proves that the conversation around electric vehicles has shifted. Once seen as efficient alternatives, EVs are now dominating conversations around performance, power, and innovation. With its record-breaking run in Germany, the U9 Track Edition doesn’t just stand as a fast car, it represents a new chapter where Chinese automakers can stand toe-to-toe with, and even outpace, long-established European brands.
The story of the Yangwang U9 is more than a headline about speed. It is a glimpse into the future of electric mobility, one where records are broken, expectations are shattered, and the very definition of performance is being rewritten.