Hypercars are an attractive sight on all roads, and the differences between them and less-than-hyper cars are tangible. Charlen Raymond drove the Yangwang U9, BYD’s all-electric hypercar, for a few laps around the automaker’s test track in China. Sadly, the U9 is not destined for South Africa.
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The BYD (Build Your Dreams) test track in China is just a small slice of the many pies the tech giant has a finger in, but it provided an enjoyable playground for the Yangwang U9. The U9 is an all-electric hypercar aimed at offering an alternative to the traditional ilk. However, the time behind the U9’s steering wheel was made a tad less exciting due to the heavens opening and wetting the circuit, but the handful of laps left enough of an impression to know that the game had indeed changed.
At first glance, this hypercar seems to borrow the classic silhouette and proportions of its contemporaries: a wide stance, sculpted lines, and an unmistakable aura of speed. But that’s where it stops, though, because the U9 is no homage; it is an unambiguous statement about the future of high-performance motoring in an era of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs).
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In short, electric hypercars are no longer novelties. Their rapid acceleration, technical sophistication, and emissions-free operation have begun to redefine performance benchmarks. But in this segment of the market, where speed and sustainability are increasingly crossbreeding, the Yangwang U9 sets itself apart. It’s not simply another zero-emission missile aimed at disrupting the internal combustion elite. No; BYD sees it as a recalibration of what NEVs can achieve.
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Blistering Pace
As we ventured out of the pitlane and onto the track, the pace car (a Denza Z9 GT) set off in quick fashion, with the chasing pack, led by two U9s, gunning down the back straight before breaking into a right-hander. With the foot to the floor, the U9’s performance is like something bordering on the surreal. The acceleration, courtesy of a quad-motor setup, is instantaneous and relentless. Each wheel has its own motor, with the total system output coming in at a staggering 960 kW. The numbers, however, tell part of the story: 0-100 km/h flew by in about 2.36 seconds, and if you find a stretch of road long enough, the car will top out at 391.94 km/h.
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Like all high-performance cars, the U9 is fitted with an advanced suspension system, developed by Yangwang’s engineers. The setup uses electronic dampers paired with sensors that monitor real-time data to keep the chassis balanced, even during aggressive manoeuvres, according to BYD.
To keep the on-track experience controlled, all the drivers were told to drive at a set speed, but even at a reduced speed, we could ‘attack’ some of the tighter corners with more vigour. It highlighted the automotive advancements made and what could be possible if the reigns are loosened for the driver, but the composure and characteristics are notable for a vehicle weighing close to two tonnes.
The U9 also introduces an entirely new concept to the hypercar vernacular: precision ride control. BYD calls it “Disus-X,” and it’s more than a gimmick. This system enables the car to “dance,” lift individual wheels over obstacles and maintain stability on uneven terrain, effectively marrying off-road capability with track-ready aggression. Of course, no U9 owner in their right mind would venture onto gravel, but the theatrics are among the car’s most entertaining aspects.
In Summary
That said, the U9’s emotional appeal is not buried beneath layers of technology. This is still a hypercar in every sense of the word; a machine built to provoke awe, both in its driver and those fortunate enough to witness it in action. While traditionalists may lament the absence of a howling V8 or wailing V12, the U9’s futuristic hum carries its own gravitas. It reminds you that it’s a car built for the future, even if in the absence of the orchestral symphonies befitting a hypercar.
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However, with all its accomplishments, the U9 raises questions about its place in the wider motoring landscape. At a time when EV (electric vehicle) adoption is gaining momentum but remains far from universal, is there room for a hypercar that prioritises innovation over heritage? And how will traditionalists, for whom the guttural roar of an engine is such an essential part of the driving experience, respond to a car that challenges what we deem as normal?
Those questions, however, are answered when you consider that the Yangwang U9 is a philosophy that must represent BYD’s years of NEV development, signalling what the future might look like when performance and sustainability meet without compromise.
Ultimately, the U9 is not simply a shift because of its technology or performance. It’s a hypothesis because it forces us to reconsider what matters most in a high-performance car: raw speed, driving engagement, or the promise of a cleaner, more sustainable future. And the U9 manages to blend all three.
