YangWang U9: A 3,000 HP Electric Hypercar Challenging Automotive Conventions
BYD's premium sub-brand, YangWang, is on the verge of unveiling a specialized track edition of its U9 electric supercar, set to boast an unprecedented power output of nearly 3,000 horsepower. This remarkable figure, disclosed through official Chinese regulatory documents, positions the U9 to potentially claim the title of the most powerful street-legal production vehicle globally, surpassing even the formidable Rimac Nevera R. The announcement has ignited considerable discussion within the high-performance electric vehicle community, raising questions about the practical application of such immense power on the road or track, particularly concerning battery endurance and tire traction capabilities. Despite the skepticism voiced by industry leaders like Mate Rimac, YangWang's ambitious project highlights the rapid advancements and escalating competition in the electric hypercar segment, pushing the boundaries of what is considered achievable in automotive engineering.
The details surrounding YangWang's audacious U9 Track Edition emerged from a filing with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). According to these documents, the vehicle will be equipped with four electric motors, each generating 555 kilowatts, culminating in a staggering total output of 2,200 kW—equivalent to just under 3,000 horsepower. Furthermore, the filing indicates a projected top speed of 217 mph (350 km/h). This prospective performance data suggests that the U9 Track Edition is poised to unseat the Rimac Nevera R, currently recognized for its 2,107 horsepower, as the world's most potent road-legal production automobile by a substantial margin of 870 horsepower.
In response to these claims, Mate Rimac, the visionary behind Rimac Automobili, publicly shared his reservations. Speaking on the Apex Automotor Facebook group, Rimac expressed doubts that the U9 could sustain such a high power output for more than a few fleeting seconds. His concerns stem from the inherent limitations of contemporary battery technology, as well as the capacity of electric motors, inverters, and crucially, tires, to effectively manage and transmit such colossal power to the ground. Rimac pointed out that even his company's Nevera R struggles with tire traction at its peak performance, implying that the U9's claimed power would likely overwhelm current tire capabilities, rendering much of it unusable in real-world driving scenarios at lower speeds.
The debate over the U9's actual usable power highlights a critical challenge in the development of extreme-performance electric vehicles: translating raw horsepower into practical, sustained performance. Industry experts, including Rimac, suggest that the U9's peak power output might only be accessible for very short bursts, potentially through a temporary boost function, and primarily at higher speeds—perhaps exceeding 150 mph—where aerodynamic forces begin to play a more significant role in providing downforce and aiding traction. To counteract the immense forces at play, the U9 Track Edition is specified with wide 325-section 20-inch tires on all four corners, complemented by a substantial rear wing designed for maximum downforce, an aggressive front splitter, and an adjustable rear diffuser, all engineered to enhance the vehicle's grip and stability.
The standard YangWang U9, which features a dual-motor configuration, already impresses with 1,287 horsepower, a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint time of 2.36 seconds, and a top speed of 192 mph (309 km/h). The forthcoming track-focused variant is expected to significantly improve upon these figures in terms of acceleration, potentially outperforming the Nevera R's 1.72-second 0-62 mph time. However, the U9's top speed, while impressive at 217 mph, falls short of the Nevera R's remarkable 268.2 mph (431.45 km/h), a testament to Rimac's engineering prowess, especially given their ownership of Bugatti. The introduction of the YangWang U9 Track Edition signifies a pivotal moment in the electric hypercar race, emphasizing a shift towards extreme power and advanced aerodynamic solutions in pursuit of unparalleled performance.