BYD's luxury brand Yangwang (YANGWANG) recently announced that it has finalized the model name for the high-performance track version of the U9 as Yangwang U9 Xtreme (U9X) and will begin limited sales of 30 units worldwide. Each of the 30 vehicles will also offer unique personalized options.
In August, the U9X set the world record for the top speed of an electric vehicle. Then, in just one month, it again recorded a new top speed of 496.22km/h. This corresponds to the fastest speed in the world across both internal combustion and electric vehicles.
It also released a lap time at Germany's Nürburgring Nordschleife. Yangwang U9X's record was 6 minutes 59.157 seconds. BYD's new energy vehicle demonstrated the possibility of combining top speed and circuit performance at the same time.
The name U9X originates from the English word extreme, and the letter 'X' symbolizes the unknown and boundaries. Combining the two elements into Xtreme reflects Yangwang U9X's spirit of challenging boundaries and pursuing extremes. Unlike the existing U9 model, which occupies a position that covers track, road and everyday use, the U9X focuses solely on extreme track performance and upgrades the vehicle's hardware and software throughout to be circuit-oriented.
Yangwang U9X is based on the world's first 1,200V ultra-high-voltage platform and is equipped with four high-performance electric motors that reach a rotational speed of 30,000 rpm. By applying top-grade materials such as high-strength aerospace aluminum housing, high-speed bearings and 970MPa-class rotors, the system's total output exceeds 3,000Ps, and the horsepower per ton reaches 1,217 Ps/t.
In addition, using the same quad-motor system as the U9, called 'e4', and the active suspension system architecture 'DiSus-X', vehicle posture control technology was optimized for track driving. As a result, it achieved performance that satisfies both top speed and lap time within a single vehicle.
To support enhanced track performance, the U9X redesigned the vehicle's entire cooling system. By applying a large-capacity oil pump and an electric motor cooling system, cooling performance was improved by 133%, allowing stable performance to be maintained even under maximum output conditions.
The dedicated blade battery optimized for track driving refined the cell structure and internal resistance. In particular, through a newly developed dual-cooling structure, it achieved an ultra-high discharge rate of up to 30C and excellent thermal management. This greatly improves acceleration and regenerative braking performance and sets a new standard for lithium iron phosphate battery performance.
The brake system was also significantly strengthened. The U9X newly equips a titanium-alloy carbon ceramic brake system, and the upgraded carbon ceramic discs improve friction and cooling efficiency through drilled and slotted designs. The titanium-alloy calipers reduce unsprung mass while providing intuitive and solid braking feel. Also, because of their low thermal conductivity, they help suppress the rise in brake fluid temperature. Furthermore, a dedicated electronic brake control algorithm for the Nürburgring circuit was applied to reduce the burden on mechanical brakes and allow stable performance across all 177 corners without degradation of braking performance.
To meet tire performance demanded by extreme driving conditions, Yangwang jointly developed the 'GitiSport e·GTR² PRO' semi-slick tire with Giti based on Nürburgring and high-speed test data from 2024. This tire uses ultra-high-strength aramid fibers, which are also used in bulletproof vests, to suppress expansion due to centrifugal force during very high-speed driving and can handle speeds above 500km/h. The asymmetric tread pattern maximizes cornering grip while also improving water drainage performance on wet surfaces. In addition, strengthening the core structure that runs from the bead to the sidewall secures cornering stability in environments where extreme lateral acceleration (G) occurs.
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