BYD's premium sub-brand, Yangwang, has recently made headlines with its U9 electric supercar, specifically a special Track Edition, which achieved an astonishing top speed of 293.54 mph (approximately 472 kph). This remarkable feat, accomplished at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg test track earlier this month by German driver Marc Basseng, has cemented the U9 Track Edition's status as the world's fastest electric production car. This speed not only surpasses previous electric vehicle records, including the Rimac Nevera R's 268 mph and the Aspark Owl's 272 mph, but also significantly eclipses Basseng's own 233 mph record set in the 'standard' U9 just a year prior. Basseng expressed his surprise, stating, 'Last year, I thought I'd peaked. I never expected to break my own record so soon — but here we are, at the same track, with new technologies that have made it possible,' highlighting the rapid advancements in EV performance.

The incredible speed achieved by the Yangwang U9 Track Edition is attributed to a suite of groundbreaking technologies. While built on the same platform as the standard U9, which offers a robust 1,287bhp from its four electric motors, the Track Edition boasts an astounding power output of over 2,958bhp. This massive increase in power is complemented by its architecture, which utilizes 'the world’s first mass produced 1200V ultra-high voltage vehicle platform,' a significant leap forward compared to the 800V platforms only now being adopted by many European EV manufacturers. Furthermore, the car features independent torque vectoring that can monitor road conditions and adjust power delivery more than 100 times per second, ensuring optimal grip and control. The innovative 'DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System,' previously noted for enabling the car to 'dance and leapfrog,' also plays a crucial role on the track, meticulously keeping the U9 as flat as possible during aggressive cornering, acceleration, and braking maneuvers. Visually, the Track Edition differentiates itself by shedding the standard car's prominent rear wing and gaining a new carbon fibre front splitter, along with bespoke semi-slick tyres from Giti, optimizing its aerodynamics and traction for extreme speeds.

The location of this record-breaking run, the ATP Papenburg test track in north-west Germany, adds another layer of impressiveness to the achievement. Unlike the legendary Ehra-Lessien track, which is owned by Volkswagen and typically inaccessible to rival manufacturers, Papenburg has become a crucial venue for high-speed attempts. While Papenburg features five-lane wide, 45-degree banking that allows for cornering speeds of up to 155 mph (with cars like the Bugatti and Yangwang exiting at close to 190 mph), its straights are considerably shorter than Ehra-Lessien's, which boasts an 'agreed straight' of over five miles. Papenburg offers at best 2.7 miles before demanding hard braking for its sharp, unforgiving bends. It was at this same track that the Bugatti Mistral, a 1,600hp hypercar, managed 282 mph in light drizzle. The fact that the Yangwang U9 Track Edition sauntered up to 293 mph – 12 mph faster than the Bugatti – in such limited space underscores its extraordinary power delivery and efficiency. Footage from the run even suggested the Chinese car was still accelerating when it ran out of room, indicating it had more to give.

This pioneering achievement by Yangwang, especially given it was reportedly their first attempt at such a record, sends a clear message to the established hypercar manufacturers. With fellow Chinese brand Xiaomi having set numerous Nürburgring records, it suggests a strong, methodical approach to performance. The implication is that Yangwang will likely return, potentially targeting the 300 mph mark, and even aiming to surpass the full-fat Chiron Super Sport’s 304.77 mph record, and beyond. This development has left observers staggered not just by the sheer speed, but by how quickly it was achieved in such a constrained distance, silently cruising where other hypercars roar and strain. The Yangwang U9 Track Edition, with its innovative technology and demonstrated capability, positions itself to challenge and potentially redefine the landscape of high-performance automotive engineering, putting traditional blue-blooded hypercar names on notice.