2 weeks ago
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BYD’s high-performance Yangwang U9 electric supercar set a new top speed record for production EVs, but still can’t catch internal combustion vehicles.
Electric Cars
BYD has scooped the title of world’s fastest electric car with its four-motor Yangwang U9 supercar.
The new Yangwang U9 Track Edition e⁴ recorded a 472.41km/h top speed at the Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in Germany.
The new record tops both the previous U9 top speed of 391.94km/h set at the Nurburgring in 2024 and betters the Rimac Nevera’s 412km/h top speed and overtakes the previous EV record holder, the Aspark Owl, which recorded a 438.7km/h top speed at the Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in 2024.
Outside of production cars, the specialist land-speed record is held by the purpose-built, one-off Venturri Buckeye Bullet 3, which posted an FIA-verified 550.67km/h top speed.
The Yangwang U9 Track Edition uses the same four-motor layout as the regular U9, with upgrades including a 1200V architecture instead of the regular U9’s 800V system, and upgrades the thermal management control for use in extreme conditions.
Power from each of the four motors is rated at 555kW, for a 2220kW combined output, more than double that of the regular 960kW U9.
The Track Edition also retains the U9’s DiSus-X intelligent body control suspension, which uses a high-response hydraulic system to control pitch and roll, but has more often been demonstrated by BYD for its ability to make the car ‘jump’ while static or moving.
The 472.41km/h electric vehicle record doesn’t yet surpass the current internal combustion official record holder, Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, which reached a top speed of 490.48km/h in 2019. This record was verified by Germany’s TÜV technical inspection association.
The record-setting Yangwang U9 Track Edition was equipped with a specially developed set of tyres manufactured by Giti Tire, an Indonesian company better known for its low-cost (rather than high-performance) tyres, which has started expanding into motorsport around the world.
German driver Marc Bassenberg was behind the wheel of the U9 for BYD’s record run, and is the same driver who set the previous record in the Aspark Owl in 2024.
“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.” Bassenberh said.
Electric Cars Guide
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
