China’s BYD, through its luxury performance arm Yangwang, has staked a claim to the top tier of automotive speed records. The brand’s U9 Track Edition supercar recently reached 472.41 km/h (294 mph) during testing at Germany’s ATP proving grounds, making it the fastest production-based electric vehicle in the world.
Best Labor Day Amazon Deals for Car Collectors (2025 Edition)
The U9 Track Edition is designed with one goal: absolute velocity. Its powertrain uses four electric motors, one at each wheel, to deliver a staggering 3,019 horsepower. To keep the car stable at aircraft-level speeds, Yangwang engineered active aerodynamics and a specialized suspension system that ensures downforce and balance. An 80-kWh battery powers the motors, optimized for short, high-intensity runs rather than long-distance travel. Ultra-fast charging reduces turnaround time between high-speed tests.
While the achievement is headline-grabbing, it comes with caveats. Dedicated land-speed EVs like the Venturi Buckeye Bullet still hold absolute records, though they are purpose-built machines and not production-related vehicles. By contrast, the U9 Track Edition slots into the same performance bracket as hypercars such as the Rimac Nevera and Bugatti Chiron — cars that, in theory, a buyer could order.
The U9’s numbers are impressive, but the market battle remains unsettled. Tesla has promised that its upcoming Roadster will exceed the U9’s performance, with quicker acceleration, higher top speed, and greater range, potentially at a lower price. None of those claims have yet been validated, leaving Yangwang’s U9 as the current benchmark for production-based electric performance.
For BYD, the record is about more than bragging rights. It signals that Chinese automakers are no longer confined to the affordable EV segment where they have thrived, but can compete at the ultra-high-performance level against European and American brands. Nearly 300 mph on a German test track ensures the world is paying attention.
Comments