Chinese electric Hypercar Yangwang U9 Breaks Bugatti’s Speed Record
PAPENBURG, GERMANY – The Chinese-built Yangwang U9, a 3,000 horsepower electric hypercar from BYD, has officially surpassed Bugatti’s top speed record for production vehicles. the U9 achieved a speed of 490.48 km/h, exceeding Bugatti’s previous record.
This achievement marks a significant shift in the hypercar landscape, challenging established European dominance with emerging Chinese automotive technology. Earlier this year, Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac, expressed skepticism about BYD’s ability to effectively utilize 3,000 horsepower, citing limitations of LFP batteries and inverters. the Yangwang U9’s success demonstrates advancements in electric powertrain technology and potentially signals a new era of competition in the ultra-high-performance vehicle segment.
The U9 initially recorded a speed of 472.41 km/h on the Papenburg circuit at the end of August, surpassing the Rimac Nevera’s previous record of 431.45 km/h set in July 2024, when the nevera simultaneously broke 24 world records. Koenigsegg Jesko also recently challenged some of Rimac’s records. The latest run confirms the U9’s capability and places it at the forefront of electric vehicle performance.
The record-breaking run underscores China‘s growing ambition and investment in the high-performance automotive sector, and sets the stage for further innovation and competition among global hypercar manufacturers.
