Yangwang has just put the entire performance world on notice. Its flagship Yangwang U9 supercar is heading back to Germany’s legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife next month, and it’s not just for another photoshoot. After setting a blistering 7:17.900 lap time in 2024, the team is hunting for an even faster record, and they’ve got their sights set high.
This isn’t just about bragging rights. It’s a direct response to rival Xiaomi, whose SU7 Ultra recently clocked an astonishing 7:04.957, claiming the title of the fastest production EV around the ‘Ring. Yangwang, holding the Chinese vehicle speed record at 391.94 km/h, is clearly not willing to let that challenge go unanswered.
Quick Specs & Metrics
| Metric | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) | 2.36 | s | Official manufacturer claim |
| Peak power | 960 | kW | 1,287 hp combined output |
| Peak torque | 1,680 | Nm | Instant electric torque |
| Top Speed | 391.94 | km/h | Current Chinese vehicle speed record |
| Max Motor RPM | 21,000 | RPM | Shows high-revving nature of the electric motors |
Unlocking the Beast’s Full Potential
So, what’s under the skin of this electric monster? The U9 is built on BYD’s e4 platform, which is jargon for a mind-bending quad-motor setup. Each wheel gets its own motor, allowing for incredible torque vectoring. In simple terms, the car can precisely control how much power goes to each individual wheel, giving it supernatural grip and cornering ability.
Then there’s the DiSus-X technology. This isn’t your average air suspension. It’s a highly advanced active body control system that can adjust in milliseconds, keeping the car incredibly flat through corners and stable under hard braking. After a year of intense track development and data analysis, Yangwang’s engineers believe they’ve only scratched the surface of what this tech can do. The test cars are already in Germany, and the team is ready to unleash its full potential.
Production Car, Supercar Pace
What makes this record attempt particularly interesting is Yangwang’s philosophy. A company spokesperson emphasized, “This overseas testing program represents not only a validation of Yangwang U9’s technical iterations but also a further demonstration to the world of China’s breakthrough achievements in high-performance automotive development.”
Unlike some manufacturers who build one-off, barely legal prototypes for lap records, Yangwang insists its Nürburgring contender is closely based on the production model. Yes, it has some track-focused tweaks to its hardware and software, but these are all production-validated changes. It’s a statement that the incredible performance you see on the track is genuinely connected to the car a customer can buy. It’s a refreshing approach in an era of hyped-up “record” cars that share little with their showroom counterparts.
The Pressure Is On
With the recent lap set by the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, the heat is officially on. The U9, with its higher price point and supercar positioning, has a reputation to uphold. This return to the Nürburgring is more than a simple test session. It is a battle for supremacy, showcasing the blistering pace of innovation within China’s electric vehicle industry. As the engineering team preps for their preliminary runs at Germany’s ATP testing facility, the automotive world will be watching closely this July. Can the Yangwang U9 reclaim the throne? All signs point to one electrifying showdown.
