BYD Reveals the Yangwang U9, an All-Electric 1,300 HP Supercar

After beating Tesla in the fourth quarter of 2023, BYD started off 2024 strong, with EV sales rising another 50% in January. BYD sold nearly 1.6 million EVs in 2023 and is now fueling growth with an overseas expansion. The company delivered a new record of 36,174 vehicles overseas in January 2024.

BYD’s electric vehicles have been mostly utilitarian so far — low-priced and efficient for modern workers and families. That’s been one secret to the company’s success, as well as the success of the Chinese EV industry overall. BYD is best known for the more mainstream working-class EVs, such as the Dolphin SUV. 

BYD broke out of that reputation in a big way with an exciting new entry among electric supercars, the BYD Yangwang U9, featuring 1,300 horsepower. The U9 is BYD’s second vehicle under the subsidiary luxury car brand Yangwang, and it’s the first BYD supercar. Yangwang’s first vehicle was the Yangwang U8, a full-size luxury SUV. The U8 is an electric vehicle with a gas engine acting as a range extender, released in 2023.

The U9 was introduced at Auto Shanghai in April 2023. The BYD Yangwang U9 price is 1.68 million Chinese yuan, which is equivalent to about $230,000 U.S, and it’s priced similarly to a base model Lamborghini Huracán. The Huracán features a fast and powerful 631 horsepower, gasoline-powered V10.

Wolfgang Egger, who previously served as a head designer for Alfa Romeo, Audi, and Lamborghini, developed the U9. Egger began working for BYD in 2017.

The Yangwang U9 supercar features four electric motors, giving it an all-wheel drive. With all-wheel-drive, the supercar can reach more than 60 miles an hour in a blistering 2.3 seconds. The body is lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum, helping it reach high speeds rapidly: BYD rated the Yangwang U9 top speed at 192 miles per hour. 

The U9 features a 720 kW (960 hp) electric motor with a maximum range of 450 km (280 miles) on the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC). The U9 includes 12 sets of active and passive aerodynamic packages. These packages reduce drag coefficient and enhance heat dissipation efficiency.

The Yangwang U9 features the innovative “DiSus” active suspension system. This allows the wheels’ ground clearance to be readjusted individually. Surprisingly, the vehicle can perform a brief vertical jump using DiSus. When doing the vertical jump, the U9 will shrink down first, then jump up like a cat, launching all four wheels off the ground at the same time. BYD has not spoken about the specific reason for U9’s jump function. 

Another interesting function is that the U9 can effortlessly dance to music with just a click.

The U9 features an 800 V electrical architecture. The vehicle has a maximum DC charging power of 500 kW. The charging duration from 30% to 80% is a short 10 minutes. The U9 also supports dual charging. Dual charging is plugging in two chargers simultaneously for a faster charging speed. 

The Yangwang U9 interior features two adjustable seats, moveable in 14 directions, to offer drivers and passengers with a premium experience. It also boasts a high-end audio system, the Dynaudio Evidence Series, providing an unparalleled immersive auditory experience.

BYD and Other Supercars

The world’s fastest all-electric supercar is the Rimac Nevera, and its speed doesn’t come cheap. The 1,800-horsepower Rimac Nevara lists for an eye-popping $2 million, a bit out of the price range of most car buyers.

Lamborghini recently unveiled its electric Lanzador supercar. Volkswagen Group’s Lamborghini has been earning record sales and profits in recent years. This could be a reason why BYD has released the Yangwang U9.

BYD’s Yangwang U9, known under the alternate name “Ultimat9” in China, is proof that the automaker is making its chops on the world stage, competing with other world-famous supercar makers, such as Lamborghini, Ferrari, Rimac, and others. This is cementing BYD’s already impressive lead in the global EV market. China is emerging as a powerful force for auto production in 2024. By releasing the U9, China’s BYD has shown the world it can make leading supercars, as well as family-friendly SUVs and sedans.

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