Yangwang, the new high-end performance sub-brand of BYD, has shattered the global electric-vehicle (EV) speed record. On August 8, 2025, their limited-edition U9 Track Edition supercar achieved a staggering 472.41 km/h at Germany’s ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg test facility. This feat officially crowns it as the fastest EV on Earth, marking a landmark moment in electric performance engineering.
Record-Setting Performance
At the core of the U9 Track Edition’s world-record achievement lies a fusion of cutting-edge automotive technologies:
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Ultra-high-voltage architecture: It’s the first mass-produced EV platform to operate at 1,200 V, enabling lightning-fast energy transfer and efficiency.
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Quad-motor powertrain: The e4 Platform employs four independent motors, each capable of 30,000 rpm, with peak output around 744 hp per motor, exceeding 2,976 hp total.
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Power-to-weight superiority: With an estimated power-to-weight ratio of 1,200 hp per tonne, it sits among the most forceful propulsion systems ever mounted in a road-legal vehicle.
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Torque vectoring mastery: Each wheel’s torque is continuously adjusted over 100 times per second, ensuring exceptional grip, stability, and control even at terminal velocity.
Technical Highlights in Context
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Speed Record |
472.41 km/h (achieved August 8, 2025) |
Venue |
ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg, Germany |
Voltage Platform |
1,200 V ultra-high-voltage architecture |
Motor Setup |
Quad-motor e4 platform, 30,000 rpm, ~744 hp each, ~2,976 hp total |
Power-to-weight Ratio |
Approx. 1,200 hp per tonne |
Torque Vectoring |
Adjusts each wheel’s torque 100+ times per second |
Suspension |
DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System |
Aerodynamics |
Carbon-fiber front splitter (mass-produced) |
Tires |
Giti semi-slick, optimized compound, tread, wheel-rim knurling |
Driver |
Marc Basseng |
Official Website |
Advanced Stability and Control Technologies
The U9 Track Edition incorporates innovative systems that enhance stability and safety during extreme driving conditions:
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DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System: Rapid, corner-specific, vertical suspension adjustments suppress pitch and roll, improving ride comfort while preserving tire contact and diameter grip. This body posture control system ensures stable traction, especially during hard acceleration, braking, or cornering.
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Aerodynamic integrity: Building on the existing U9 design, the Track Edition features an optional, mass-produced carbon-fiber front splitter. This aerodynamic enhancement maintains balanced downforce at high speeds, validated by extensive high-speed aerodynamic testing.
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Track-specialized tires: In collaboration with Giti Tire, Yangwang developed semi-slick tires tailored for sustained high-speed track use. They incorporate optimized compounds, bespoke tread patterns, and a unique knurling interface at the rim with high-viscosity lubricant to minimize slippage, reduce torque loss, and limit wear.
Driver and Venue
Professional German racer Marc Basseng, who had previously held the EV speed record in 2024, piloted the U9 Track Edition during its record run at the same Papenburg facility. Reflecting on the accomplishment, 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.”
Technical Highlights in Context
Broader Significance
This achievement signifies more than a record; it showcases what’s possible in the pursuit of sustainable, extreme automotive performance. BYD’s technological innovations ultra-high-voltage platforms, advanced motor dynamics, intelligent suspension systems illustrate a future where EV supercars can rival or exceed their combustion-engine predecessors in every measurable performance metric.
Moreover, by bringing components like the 1,200 V platform and durable semi-slick tires into mass production, Yangwang bridges experimental engineering with scalable, road-legal solutions. This not only reinforces the brand’s engineering credibility but may influence broader industry trends in electrified performance vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What was the exact top speed achieved by the Yangwang U9 Track Edition?
A: It reached 472.41 km/h at the German ATP facility on August 8, 2025.
Q2: What makes the U9 Track Edition different from the regular Yangwang U9?
A: While based on the same e4 platform and DiSus-X architecture, the Track Edition sports a 1,200 V high-voltage system, enhanced motors (~744 hp each), carbon-fiber aerodynamic components, and bespoke Giti semi-slick track-oriented tires.
Q3: Who drove the record-setting run?
A: German professional driver Marc Basseng, previous EV record-holder, piloted the vehicle during its record attempt.
Q4: What innovations help the U9 Track Edition maintain stability at extreme speeds?
A: The DiSus-X suspension control system and ultra-fast torque-vectoring system (adjusting over 100 times per second) ensure grip and posture stability. The carbon-fiber splitter optimizes aerodynamics, while the specially designed tires reduce slippage and wear.
Q5: Can the 1,200 V system be found in other EVs?
A: Currently, Yangwang claims it as the first mass-produced 1,200 V ultra-high-voltage platform, distinguishing it from most EVs using lower-voltage systems.
Q6: Where can I find more official information about the Yangwang U9 Track Edition?
A: Visit Yangwang’s Official Site for the most accurate, up-to-date information on specifications and availability.
For More Information Click HERE
