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BYD, China’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer, has made its name in Australia with the big-selling ATTO 3 SUV, the small Dolphin hatchback, and the recently available Seal sedan. While these vehicles have mass market, affordable appeal, BYD plays in all areas of the electric vehicle sandpit and last month launched an absolute beauty for those with a taste for high-performance supercars.

Called the YangWang U9, the supercar hails from YangWang, BYD’s high-end brand, and it will surely gain interest from those with a taste for incredible-looking sports cars boasting performance that can match anything from Europe’s exotic, premium, performance car manufacturers.

First unveiled last year, the U9 has four electric motors, offering four-wheel independent torque control, and packs a real punch, churning out a whopping 970kW and 1680Nm. All that grunt is good, the company says, for the sprint to 100km/h to be done in 2.36 seconds and a top speed over 300km/h. That performance is helped along, no doubt, by active and passive aerodynamic packages aimed at reducing drag and enhancing heat dissipation efficiency.

Also under that sleek exterior is an 800-volt architecture, and an 80kWh Blade battery set-up with ultra-fast charging tech that can charge at up to 500kW. Range 

is a claimed 450km (CLTC).

There’s also something called the DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System that is designed to greatly enhance ‘vehicle agility and comfort for both drivers and passengers.’

Inside, the YangWang U9’s cockpit features 14-way adjustable seats, wireless smartphone charging, carbon fibre trim, a 12.3-inch central screen, a 10.25-inch instrument screen and a host of other smart features and, because this is a BYD, it’s stacked with driving assistance functions and safety features too.

Priced at ¥1.68 million ($AU356,400), the YangWang U9 isn’t cheap, but is decently priced compared to its top-shelf supercar rivals. One can hope we will see it one day on Australian roads. 

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (March 2024)

19 March 2024