BYD has become one of the largest car companies in the world in terms of sales, mainly selling affordable cars. Now, through its premium Yangwang brand, it aims to poach customers from established luxury car makers with the launch of the ultra-high-performance Yangwang U9 electric supercar.
Now BYD has brought prototypes of the U9 to the Nürburgring for testing to improve the car's track performance and boost its image.
The U9 looks very fast. A video from CarSpyMedia shows the car accelerating and braking intensely, firing up the brake discs. With four motors powering each wheel, the Yangwang U9 develops 1,287 horsepower and 1,680 Nm of torque. It weighs just under 2,500kg and accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 2.36 seconds, making it one of the fastest accelerating cars in the world.
The U9 is built on the original electric vehicle platform with advanced suspension that can eliminate roll in corners and make the car jump or drive on three wheels. The Y9 can be charged with up to 500kW of power, allowing it to top up the energy reserve in its 80kWh battery from 30 to 80 per cent in just 10 minutes. BYD claims the electric supercar has a range of 465 kilometres on the CLTC cycle.
Yangwang U9
In its home country of China, the Yangwang U9 costs $230,000.
Source: InsideEVs
