The BYD Yangwang U9, launched on February 25th 2024, heralds BYD's ambitious foray into the supercar realm, with a keen focus on merging cutting-edge technology with exceptional performance. This comprehensive review delves into the U9's interior, exterior, and performance characteristics, providing insights into what sets this vehicle apart in the competitive supercar segment.
Exterior
The Yangwang U9 adopts BYD's signature design language, distinguishing itself from its sibling, the U8, by emphasizing its supercar stature through a more aggressive and distinct aesthetic. The design has sparked considerable debate online; however, its supercar-esque silhouette, coupled with oversized, exaggerated headlight assemblies, ensures it commands attention and is easily recognizable. The side profile adheres to the standard supercar contour, incorporating numerous aerodynamic components. It boasts a comprehensive aerodynamic package with six body airflow layouts and twelve passive aerodynamic kits, aimed at reducing drag. The extensive use of carbon fiber materials across various parts, such as the power kits, exaggerated rear wings, and integrated cockpit, ensures the vehicle's body is exceptionally lightweight, achieving a weight reduction rate of 0.95.
Interior
Inside, the Yangwang U9 presents a symmetrical dashboard design enriched with carbon fiber and suede materials, enhancing its sporty appeal. Both driver and passenger are greeted with individual display screens, with a central vertical control screen nestled between them. Despite its supercar designation, the U9 does not compromise on daily usability, offering features like electric seat adjustments, heating, ventilation, 127-color ambient lighting, a 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system, and wireless charging for smartphones.
Performance and Technology
At the heart of the U9's performance is the "Yi Si Fang" and "Yun Nian-X" technology, powering an all-electric drivetrain with four motors. Each motor delivers a maximum power of 240kW, culminating in a combined output of 960kW. This translates to an astonishing 1,306 horsepower and 1,680 Nm of torque. The U9 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.36 seconds, completes a 0-400 meter sprint in 9.78 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 309 km/h. Such figures not only enable the U9 to compete with most supercars on the market but also showcase its prowess with a test track time of 2 minutes and 17.65 seconds. The Yun Nian-X technology, a bespoke chassis tuning system, enables real-time dynamic control, air suspension, and dual-valve dampers, allowing for unique capabilities such as three-wheel driving and stationary jumping.
Adding to the car's allure, BYD has developed various personalized modes for the U9, including a Dance Mode that moves to the beat of four songs, a Display Mode for showcasing its gull-wing doors, and a Warm-up Mode for stationary hopping. Future updates are expected to introduce even more features through OTA updates.
Conclusion
While numerous EV brands have ventured into the supercar domain, only a few have made a lasting impression. The BYD Yangwang U9, with its pronounced supercar essence and technological advancements, stands out as a noteworthy competitor against the likes of Lotus EMEYA and Polestar 6. Its distinct focus and innovative features not only make it a compelling choice for consumers but also underscore BYD's ambition and potential in the high-performance electric vehicle space.