BYD unveils the Yangwang U9 02 test car with nearly 3000 hp
BYD officially released a teaser video confirming the debut of its Yangwang U9 02 test vehicle. According to the company, the car is equipped with power at 2,220 kW (2978 hp), described as “the world’s strongest horsepower.”
The short preview showed a Yangwang U9 test car driving out of a garage, but BYD did not provide further details about the 02 prototype’s design or specifications. While the model remains in early testing, the announcement follows a series of high-profile milestones achieved by Yangwang’s 01 test car, the U9.
In August, the Yangwang U9 engineering test car officially broke the global electric vehicle speed record, reaching 472.41 km/h during a track run. This speed made it the fastest production-intent electric vehicle on record. The result was credited to a combination of five core technologies developed for the car.
The first is the global debut of a mass-produced 1200V ultra-high voltage platform. This system enables electric motors to draw energy more efficiently, ensuring stable, high-output performance at extreme speeds. Complementing it is BYD’s e4 (Yi Sifang) platform, which incorporates four 30,000 rpm motors. Each motor produces 555 kW, combining for a total system output of 2,220 kW (2978 hp or 3018 ps ).
This setup gives the U9 an exceptional power-to-weight ratio of 1,200 hp per ton, surpassing benchmarks set by hypercars such as the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut, which has around 986 hp per ton. The high ratio underpins the U9’s ability to accelerate and maintain stability at record-setting speeds.
Stability is further enhanced by the DiSus-X intelligent active body control system (Yun Nian-X). This technology dynamically adjusts the car’s posture in real time, improving grip and handling. To support such performance, the U9 uses domestically developed high-performance tires designed for speeds of up to 500 km/h. Featuring semi-slick construction and a wide tread, these tires expand the contact area with the road, providing essential traction.
The U9 has previously set notable benchmarks, including a 391.94 km/h run in October 2024, which made it the fastest car in China at the time. It also recorded a Nürburgring lap of 7 minutes 17 seconds in November 2024.
BYD has not yet disclosed technical specifications or a launch timeline for the Yangwang U9 02. However, with both the U9 and the newly announced prototype, Yangwang continues to emphasise high-performance electric vehicle development.
