BYD's YangWang U9 Shatters Expectations with Impressive Speed Test

While attention was elsewhere during election week, BYD made waves with an impressive feat: its YangWang U9 supercar hit a remarkable 391.94 km/h (243 mph). This was no isolated stunt or trick—no specialized track-only modifications or propulsion enhancements were used. The U9 maintained its status as a street-legal vehicle, even equipped with standard road tires, which likely influenced when the test was halted.

Although top speed tests for supercars don’t carry much real-world significance—most drivers will never push their cars to such extremes—the results offer a glimpse into BYD’s capabilities. As one of the engineers in the video highlighted, these tests yield invaluable data for future vehicle optimization. With the second-generation Blade battery in development, the U9 could become even more formidable. This achievement underscores BYD’s commitment to continuous innovation.

Initially, BYD had set a projected top speed of 309 km/h (192 mph) for the U9, so surpassing this by over 50 mph is no small feat. Given the exponential increase in aerodynamic drag at higher speeds, the U9’s performance speaks to BYD's meticulous engineering and its philosophy of underpromising and overdelivering.

The footage of the test showed that the car was still accelerating when the driver eased off the throttle, suggesting that BYD could claim an even higher top speed. Unlike other automakers that lean on ambitious projections and hype, BYD showcased genuine results. The car was already in production and delivered before this test, contrasting starkly with promises that have left consumers waiting for years or abandoned projects deemed “pointless.”

In a market rife with grand but unfulfilled promises, BYD’s strategy of tangible achievements over speculative claims has gone under the radar but driven significant growth. Time will tell which approach—delivering real, proven performance or betting on ambitious future plans—will prevail.