Yangwang U9 Track Edition Rockets to New EV Speed Record at 472.41km/h

The Yangwang U9 Track Edition achieved a new all-time top-speed record for electric vehicles at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg track in Germany. The car reached 472.41 km/h, setting a fresh standard for EV performance and taking the crown as the world’s fastest electric car. This feat reflects the advancements made by BYD’s luxury offshoot, Yangwang, in electric hypercar technology. The car’s high speed comes from its four electric motors, each delivering 555kW, combining for a total output of more than 2,200 kW (2,959bhp). These motors operate via a 1,200-volt ultra-high-voltage system, a first in mass production, that helps sustain power output at extreme rpm levels, up to 30,000 revolutions per minute. This setup allows the U9 Track Edition to maintain performance throughout the record attempt.

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A critical part of the U9’s performance is its torque vectoring system, which adjusts power delivery to each wheel over 100 times every second. This system, combined with a power-to-weight ratio of around 1184bhp per tonne, ensures that the vehicle stays stable and controlled even as it pushes towards its top speed. Handling at these speeds is an important factor in setting speed records safely and reliably.

German racer Marc Basseng, who held the previous EV speed record in 2024 with the Aspark Owl, drove the U9 during the record run. He noted the rapid progress in electric vehicle technology that made it possible to reclaim the record and extend it significantly in just a short time. Basseng’s experience and skill helped in showing the car’s capabilities on the Papenburg track.

The design of the Track Edition adds features tailored for high-speed performance, such as lightweight 20-inch alloy wheels, a carbon-fibre roof, and a fixed rear wing. These adjustments help reduce drag and improve aerodynamics to aid the car in slicing through the air more efficiently at high velocity.

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With this record, the Yangwang U9 Track Edition closes the gap between electric and petrol-powered hypercars. It demonstrates that electric powertrains can now compete at the very top level of motorsport and high-speed driving, signalling a shift in the performance landscape for hypercars worldwide.