BYD’s Yangwang U9 sets new EV speed record

A Chinese electric supercar has smashed the world speed record for electric vehicles, reaching just under 470km/h at a German test track.

The Yangwang U9 Track Edition broke the previous record of 436km/h set by the Aspark Owl, according to Autocar UK. The record attempt took place at the ATP test track in Germany with professional driver Marc Basseng behind the wheel.

The Track Edition variant uses four electric motors delivering a combined 2237kW through an independent torque-vectoring system that adjusts each motor up to 100 times per second to optimise grip and performance. The system enables the car to accelerate from 0–100km/h in 2.36 seconds.

Yangwang says the record run used semi-slick tyres developed by Giti and optimised to reduce torque loss and wear.

Basseng, who also drove the U9 during its initial 2024 attempt when it reached 388km/h, says the latest result exceeded expectations.

“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,” he says.

Yangwang is owned by BYD, the Chinese manufacturer that has established a presence in New Zealand through distributor Ateco Automotive. The Yangwang brand focuses on tech-heavy, high-performance models and currently offers the U9 supercar and U8 SUV in China.

The company has sold almost 150 U9 supercars in the past year and plans to export the brand to Europe following the proposed launch of another BYD sub-brand, Denza, early next year.

While Yangwang models are not currently available in New Zealand, BYD’s growing local presence through models like the Atto 3, Seal, and recently launched Shark ute suggests the parent company is committed to expanding its footprint in the New Zealand market.