BYD Yangwang U9 Track Edition Crowned the World’s Fastest EV

BYD’s performance sub-brand Yangwang has smashed records with its new U9 Track Edition, rewriting the rulebook for electric hypercars.

On August 8 at Germany’s ATP Papenburg proving ground, professional driver Marc Basseng unleashed the quad-motor monster to an astonishing 472.41 km/h (293.54 mph). That makes it the fastest electric vehicle ever, eclipsing the Rimac Nevera R’s 431.45 km/h (268.2 mph) run set just weeks earlier.

Quad-Motor Fury

Under its carbon-fiber skin, the U9 Track Edition hides four electric motors spinning up to 30,000 rpm. Each produces 744 hp, combining for a jaw-dropping 2,960+ hp and a power-to-weight ratio of 1,200 hp per tonne. For context, the Nevera R makes “just” 1,989 hp with a ratio of 978 hp per tonne.

Tech That Keeps It Planted

BYD didn’t just dial up the power—it packed the U9 with cutting-edge systems to keep it glued to the asphalt. Its DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System continuously tweaks suspension at each corner, while advanced torque vectoring adjusts power 100 times per second to maximize traction at speed.

The U9 also rides on the world’s first mass-produced 1,200V platform, paired with an extreme thermal-management system to withstand the brutal demands of top-speed runs.

Aero Tweaks and Custom Rubber

The record-breaking prototype sported taped panel gaps for lower drag and an optional carbon-fiber front splitter, ditching the road car’s swan-neck wing. The tires were equally bespoke—semi-slicks developed with Giti Tire, featuring an optimized compound, special knurling between rim and rubber, and a custom tread design for high-speed stability.

Breaking Records Back-to-Back

Basseng, who also drove the standard U9 to 391.94 km/h (243.54 mph) last year, was stunned by the progress:

“Last year I thought I’d peaked. I never expected to break my own record so soon—yet here we are, at the same track, with new technology making it possible.”

Closing in on 300 mph

The Yangwang U9 Track Edition doesn’t just move the needle—it slams it forward. With 293.54 mph now on the books, BYD has leapfrogged both the Aspark Owl (272.6 mph) and the Rimac Nevera (268.2 mph).

The next big milestone? Breaking the 300 mph barrier. And judging by this run, it might not be far off.