The automotive world is buzzing as BYD‘s luxury brand, Yangwang, has announced its U9 engineering test vehicle recently clocked a top speed of 472.41 km/h. This officially breaks the global electric vehicle speed record on a test track, making U9 the “world’s fastest production-intent EV”, as our reader Needles Balloon said.

According to official statements, the record-breaking speed is the result of five core technology architectures.

1. Global first mass-produced 1200V ultra-high voltage platform:
A critical enabler for the Yangwang U9’s performance is its utilisation of the world’s first mass-produced 1200V ultra-high voltage platform across its entire domain. Compared to conventional voltage platforms, this 1200V system enables electric motors to acquire energy more efficiently during operation, thereby delivering a more powerful and stable output that reaches a top speed of 472.41 km/h.

2. e4 platform (Yi Sifang) with high-performance motors:
At the heart of the U9’s propulsion system is the e4 platform (Yi Sifang). This system is the world’s first four-motor platform built around 30,000 rpm high-performance electric motors. Each individual motor boasts a peak power output of 555 kW, contributing to a staggering combined system horsepower of 2977 hp (or 3019 Ps).

3. Exceptional power-to-weight ratio:
These high-output motors endow the Yangwang U9 with a high power-to-weight ratio of 1217 Ps/t. This power-to-weight advantage provides the thrust and acceleration foundation essential for achieving and sustaining such speeds. For comparison, the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut, which currently holds the world speed record, has a power-to-weight ratio of approximately 1000 Ps/t.

4. DiSus-X intelligent active body control system:
The advanced DiSus-X intelligent active body control system (Yun Nian-X) also played a pivotal role in the record run. By actively and precisely adjusting the vehicle’s posture, the system enhances grip performance.

5. Domestically developed high-performance tires:
The Yangwang U9 is equipped with China’s first domestically developed tires specifically designed for a maximum speed of 500 km/h. These specialised tires feature a wide tread and incorporate semi-slick technology, which collectively increase the contact patch with the ground, thereby boosting grip and ensuring optimal traction at record-setting velocities.