Niu Technologies has announced an achievement: its NX Hyper set the fastest lap record for a production electric motorcycle at the Shanghai International Circuit with a time of 2 minutes, 58.958 seconds.
The Shanghai International Circuit is China’s only F1-certified track, known for its challenging layout. It spans 5.45 kilometres (3.39 miles) with 16 turns and features a main straight stretching 1.175 kilometres (0.73 miles).
Niu stated that the record attempt on the international-grade circuit challenged the peak performance of electric motorcycles. Niu reiterated its commitment to providing users with higher-quality and smarter two-wheel mobility experiences through comprehensive and extreme testing, from the track to the street.
This performance is reflected in Niu’s strong growth. According to its latest financial results, Niu’s global vehicle sales surpassed 203,000 units in the first quarter of 2025, marking a year-over-year increase of 57.4%. Sales in the Chinese market specifically grew by 66.2% to 183,100 units.
For context on the Shanghai track’s speed benchmarks, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra recently achieved a lap time of 2 minutes, 9.944 seconds, setting the official certified lap record for a production car. The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT was also previously tested on the same track, recording a time of 2 minutes, 11.28 seconds. Niu’s record specifically targets the production electric motorcycle category.
Niu launched the NX Hyper track-style electric motorcycle in October 2024 with a price starting from 28,900 yuan (4,000 USD). This model is designed with performance features, including a lightweight single-sided swingarm, custom TKX.LAB suspension, dual-channel ABS, TCS traction control, Maxxis semi-slick tires, and high-performance disc brakes with opposed 4-piston radial callipers. The NX Hyper boasts a maximum output of 29 kW (38.75 hp) in BOOST mode, with a peak torque of 350 Nm. It has an official 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 5.81 seconds and a top speed of 135 km/h (in BOOST mode). It is equipped with three lithium batteries, offering a range of up to 178 kilometres (110 miles). The NX Hyper includes features like a track mode, a lap timer, and various innovative connectivity options.
Niu Technologies was founded by Li Yinan in April 2015. It focuses on the smart urban mobility sector. Li Yinan, a notable figure in China’s tech industry, had a distinguished career before founding Niu, including roles at Huawei, Baidu, and China Mobile. Niu is primarily known for producing high-end electric scooters and motorcycles.
