BYD’s Yangwang U9 electric supercar reaches 472 km/h and breaks world speed record

The electric vehicle industry has witnessed a new performance milestone. The Yangwang U9 Track Edition super sports car, developed by Chinese manufacturer BYD, set the new world speed record for a production electric car, reaching 472.41 km/h. The feat was recorded on August 8, 2025, on the renowned Papenburg test track, at Alemanha.

Driven by the German driver Marc Basseng, the model surpassed the previous mark of 431.45 km/h, which belonged to the Rimac Nevera. The achievement not only redefines the performance limits for electric vehicles, but also positions BYD as a direct competitor to the world’s most traditional hypercar brands, which predominantly use combustion engines.

The test was carried out on a 55.3 kilometer circuit, known for being the stage for evaluations of high-performance vehicles from several global automakers. The validation of the record consolidates the rise of Yangwang, BYD’s luxury brand, in the super sports car segment and reinforces the technological capacity of the Chinese company, which had already surpassed Tesla in global sales volume of electric vehicles in 2024.

Technology behind extreme speed

The performance of the Yangwang U9 Track Edition is the result of a set of advanced technologies, starting with its e4 platform. Esta architecture integrates four independent electric motors, one for each wheel, which together deliver a combined power of over 3,000 horsepower. Essa configuration results in a power-to-weight ratio of 1,217 hp per ton, a number that places the vehicle among the most powerful ever manufactured.

The basis of the system is a 1,200V electrical architecture, the first of its kind to be produced in series. Essa high voltage allows for greater energy efficiency and superior thermal management, crucial factors for maintaining the stability and performance of the powertrain at maximum speed conditions, preventing components from overheating.

Control and stability in high performance

To ensure that all power is transferred to the ground in a safe and controlled manner, the U9 uses a sophisticated torque vectoring system. Essa technology adjusts the force applied to each wheel more than 100 times per second, optimizing traction and handling even when approaching the top speed of 472.41 km/h. The system allows instant corrections to keep the car on the ideal trajectory.

Another key component is the DiSus-X intelligent suspension. Ela makes individual and active adjustments to each of the wheels, controlling body movements such as rolling in curves and diving during braking. Essa continuous adaptability improves tire grip and overall vehicle stability, essential elements for safety when breaking a speed record.

The combination of these technologies allowed the Marc Basseng pilot to extract the vehicle’s maximum potential. The immediate response of the vectoring system and the firmness of the suspension were decisive in overcoming the aerodynamic and traction challenges inherent to such high speeds, ensuring that the car remained stable and predictable throughout the record attempt.

The record stage at Alemanha

The choice of the Papenburg track, in the north of Alemanha, was not by chance. The complex is one of the most respected in the world for high-speed and durability testing, used by supercar manufacturers such as the Bugatti and Koenigsegg to validate the performance of their models. Sua long oval straight is ideal for top speed record attempts.

Pilot Marc Basseng, who drove the U9, already held the previous record with the Rimac Nevera. Sua experience was vital for the new achievement. Após the achievement,

The record approval process followed rigorous standards, using measuring equipment certified by independent bodies. Carrying out the test on an internationally renowned circuit and under controlled conditions gives full credibility to the mark of 472.41 km/h established by the Chinese super sports car.

The presence of a Chinese brand breaking a speed record on German soil, one of the cradles of the high-performance automotive industry, also carries strong symbolism. Demonstra the rapid evolution and growing competitiveness of China automakers on the global stage, challenging the hegemony of European and American manufacturers in the supercar segment.

Functional design and aerodynamic enhancements

The design of the Yangwang U9 Track Edition has been optimized for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. Embora maintain the general lines of the street version, the track edition incorporates specific elements for performance. One of the main highlights is the prominent front diffuser, made from carbon fiber, which channels airflow to increase downforce and reduce drag, keeping the car stable at high speeds.

The 20-inch wheels are equipped with semi-slick tires, developed in a strategic partnership with Giti Tire. Estes tires feature special rubber compounds and a tread designed to offer maximum grip on dry asphalt, minimizing slippage during the brutal accelerations and intense braking required in a track environment. The body, almost five meters long and less than 1.3 meters high, follows the classic silhouette of super sports cars, optimized to cut through the air with minimal turbulence.

Comparison with main rivals

By reaching 472.41 km/h, the Yangwang U9 Track Edition not only surpassed the record of the electric Rimac Nevera, but also came dangerously close to some of the fastest combustion hypercars on the planet. The mark puts it very close to the SSC Tuatara, which registered 474.8 km/h, and not so far from the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, which reached 490 km/h. It is important to note that, although the electric prototype Venturi Buckeye Bullet 3 holds the absolute speed record for an electric vehicle (549.4 km/h), the U9 is the fastest production car, i.e. a model that can be purchased and legally used on public roads. Além of maximum speed, its acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.36 seconds is also competitive, surpassing models such as the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, which completes the same test in 2.5 seconds. Essa number combination establishes it as a formidable competitor in all aspects of performance.

Unique features of the model

In addition to its overwhelming performance, the Yangwang U9 stands out for features that seem straight out of science fiction. Graças to the DiSus-X suspension system, the vehicle is capable of “jumping”, raising the body by up to 75 millimeters in half a second to overcome obstacles. In demonstrations, the car traveled a short distance with just three wheels on the ground and even “danced” to music, synchronizing the suspension movements with lights and sound, adding an element of spectacle to its advanced engineering.