BYD YangWang U9 Is Chasing Records With 1,287 HP And 243 MPH Top Speed

BYD’s YangWang U9 is turning heads and raising eyebrows with some bold claims—a Nürburgring lap time of 7:17.900 and a blistering top speed of 391.94 km/h (243.54 mph). That’s enough to crown it the fastest Chinese production car ever. Impressive? Absolutely.

But as with any good story, the details are where things get interesting. The Nürburgring lap video clearly shows that the driver didn't push the U9 to its limits. Was the driver playing it safe, or did a technical glitch pop up? BYD has not disclosed the details.

What we do know is that this BYD YangWang U9 EV packs some serious punch—four electric motors pumping out a massive 1,287 hp and 1,239 lb-ft of torque. That’s hypercar territory. However, at a hefty 2,475 kg (5,456 lbs), it’s no lightweight. Its 80 kWh battery promises a decent 289 miles (465 km) of range under China’s optimistic CLTC standards.

BYD’s team spent six months dialing in the U9’s setup at the Nürburgring, tweaking everything from suspension to tire choices.

Yet the lap time suggests there’s more performance left untapped. Will they return for another attempt at the Green Hell? Whether they can shave off those crucial seconds remains uncertain. Despite BYD's efforts to get it listed, the U9's lap remains unofficially certified.

A big part of that is the car’s limited presence outside of China. The U9 is already available for pre-order in China with prices starting at ¥1.68 million (around $233,000).