Yangwang U9X is new 'fastest car on the planet'
BYD sub-brand claims production car record with Bugatti-beating 308.4mph top speed
Chances are you’ll recall our last mention of the Yangwang U9 - because it was less than a month ago, and it covered its maker’s attempts to extract ludicrous speed from a 3,000hp version of its flagship EV. (It was also memorable for Marc Basseng showing nerves of steel when things got a wee bit dicey setting the battery-powered speed record at ATP Papenburg.) Well, in the meantime, the firm has returned to Germany’s absurdly capacious test track and evidently did what it failed to do last time around: crack 300mph.
This, you’ll hardly need reminding, is something of a holy grail for high-end carmakers. Many have aimed for it, precious few have achieved it. In fact, only Bugatti, with the Chiron Super Sport 300+, has laid actual claim to the benchmark; Andy Wallace having clocked 304.7mph at Ehra-Lessien back in 2019. Well, now the 1,600hp hypercar has finally been forced to make way on the podium: with Basseng again driving, the Yangwang U9 ‘Extreme’ set a documented production car speed record of 308.4mph - or 496.22km/h.
Now, there are inevitably a few things to unpack. One is that the ‘official’ status of these records is definitely not subject to the kind of standardised, two-way validation that the FIA uses to judge land speed records. The U9’s speed was certified, of course, not least by ATP’s instrumentation, but it’s more of a one-shot, winner-take-all kind of deal - which is fine, because that’s the way Bugatti treated it, too. And while some might wrinkle their noses at the ‘production’ description (given the U9X’s extremely trick nature), the fact that Yangwang intends to build 30 examples would appear to put paid to that complaint. It’s exactly the same number of Super Sport 300+ cars that Bugatti built, after all.
At any rate, let’s take nothing away from the technical achievement, which is considerable. Possibly more so than it was with Chiron, given that was already a hypercar and the U9 is not. Yangwang admits to a number of key evolutions, including the 1,200V electric architecture (up from 800V), the ultra-high discharge rate of the lithium-iron phosphate ‘Blade Battery’ and the four motors said to operate at up to 30,000rpm. Throw in semi-slick tyres and a revised DiSus-X suspension, and it’s readily apparent that this is not the same car the manufacturer is currently selling in China. It’s a monster, as confirmed by Basseng himself.
“This record was only possible because the U9 Xtreme simply has incredible performance,” he said. “Technically, something like this is not possible with a combustion engine. Thanks to the electric motor, the car is quiet, there are no load changes, and that allows me to focus even more on the track.” And when the car you’re in is doing a kilometre every seven seconds, focusing on track is definitely advisable.
Where the U9X goes from here is unclear. It seems a shame given the proximity to 500km/h that Yangwang wouldn’t target it as the next benchmark for its production car, although it seems for now the firm is content to rest on its laurels. “This is an incredibly proud moment for everyone in the research and development division. Yangwang is a brand that does not recognise the impossible, and only through this commitment to what’s coming next can you end up with a vehicle like the U9X. It’s terrific that the fastest production car in the world is now electric.”
Even if this didn't sell outside China (and i see no reason why it shouldn't) I imagine this will easily sell to 30 patriotic billionaires. I visited Shenzhen a decade ago, and the route from hotel to conference centre passed the Lamborghini, Aston, Rolls, and Ferrari-Maserati dealerships. The money is there, the market is there, and the anti-Chinese bias isn't.
I won’t buy a Chinese car for reasons but no doubt they are leading the EV development and are making better products all the time. Give it some more years and most EV offers will probably have a Chinese motor/battery combo.
Judging by the amount of plastic crap my wife buys from Temu, she s probably already got one or two of them en route in a container.
Comparing this car to "the amount of crap my wife buys from Temu" you do appear to completely ignore the fact that the team from YangWang have achieved something incredible here. I recall when people scoffed at Japanese cars, claiming they were inferior to British cars because they were errrr... not British and look at how that turned out....
Judging by the amount of plastic crap my wife buys from Temu, she s probably already got one or two of them en route in a container.
Comparing this car to "the amount of crap my wife buys from Temu" you do appear to completely ignore the fact that the team from YangWang have achieved something incredible here. I recall when people scoffed at Japanese cars, claiming they were inferior to British cars because they were errrr... not British and look at how that turned out....
@ducnick
Mocking the Chinese is a mistake !
Currently, the European car market are fearful of the Chinese car market taking over, and begging Euro policy makers to do something to help them, including the 'mighty' Porsche.
Fair play for making a tyre capable of over 300mph.
China's here building 300mph road cars and everyone decries it as boring while European manufacturers largely focus on ever more bings and bongs.
I'll take mine in 1500hp and estate form please Yangwang.
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