BYD’s Yangwang division now has another significant milestone under its belt, setting the world record for the highest top speed in an electric vehicle in its new U9 Track Edition.
Fresh off launching its insane Yangwang U9 Track edition – which has become the world’s most powerful production car at 2220kW – the record was achieved at Germany’s ATP Papenburg, which features a 12.3km long banked loop.
The Yangwang U9 was already one of the most exceptional cars to ever come out of China, but the Track Edition consists of four 555kW motors at each corner – each of which can shriek their way to a schizo 30,000rpm.
Combined with the DiSus-X core technical architecture which features the world’s most advanced active suspension system, this is – all kidding aside – a huge technological milestone in China’s automotive industry. At a LandCruiser-esque 2480kg, it probably needs a bit of Ozempic.
We must temper our enthusiasm with the following qualifier; fastest electric car. While it is undeniably an outstanding achievement, it pales next to the Bugatti Chrion Super Sport 300+, which achieved 490.5km/h at the Ehra-Lessien circuit (21km long). Steering that car was Andy Wallace, who also broke the record in 1998 in the McLaren F1 at 386.7km/h. The latter record stood for 7 years until the Veyron smoked it in 2005 with 407km/h – also at Ehra-Lessien.
China’s automotive industry has now reached a point where stratospheric moonshots are increasing in regularity.
Xiaomi’s SU7 Ultra achieved a 7:04.957 lap time at the Nurburgring Nordschleife only two months ago. An impressive feat when you consider the amount of meticulous chassis work and finesse required to master such a gruelling, technical circuit.
The establishment hypercar makers are not giving up without a fight however, as the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut proved two weeks ago. It’s getting real interesting. There’s an international power war afoot and we are here for it.
