The evolution of
the Chinese industry
is applicable to a large number of areas.
But in the automotive sector it takes on strong relevance, since its opening to the world had been with poor products and today it exerts a strong technological and quality dominance.
That is why this not only applies to popular cars but is also reflected in high-end and even sports vehicles, where tradition usually plays a fundamental role.
BYD
, the largest manufacturer of electrified vehicles in the world and which is gaining leadership in electric vehicles from Tesla, has worked in different vehicle segments and its latest presentation is a provocation to traditional Western manufacturers.
This is the U9, an electric supercar with four motors, capable of accelerating like a Bugatti and with
a price 10 times lower
.
It also includes some new functions although with dubious uses, such as "dancing", for example.
Furthermore, regarding its electric conditions, it equips a generation of lighter and safer batteries and a hitherto unknown recharging capacity: it can go from 30 to 80 percent with just 10 minutes of being plugged in.
BYD's YangWang U9 has four electric motors Photo: Bloomberg
With advanced batteries
The U9, which means Ultimate 9 according to BYD, is an all-wheel drive model with
1,287 HP
of power and 1,680 Nm of torque.
It is capable of accelerating
from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.36 seconds
.
The same as a Bugatti Divo (1,500 hp), but still far from the 1.9 of the Rimac Nevera, an electric motor with 1,940 hp.
The brand new model of the Chinese brand is equipped with the Blade
battery pack ,
lithium iron phosphate (LFP), a BYD development that makes them smaller, more stable, safer and with greater energy density, as well as a longer useful life. superior to the batteries that most electric cars have.
The battery carried by the U9 has a capacity of 80 kWh, enough for
465 kilometers of autonomy
.
What is surprising is the maximum charging power of 500 kW, which added to the 800 volt system (the same one that Porsche uses for the Taycan) can be charged from 30% to 80% in 10 minutes.
It also supports dual charging, which means you can plug in two independent charging sockets simultaneously.
BYD's Yangwang U9 has a simple interior, with three screens.
Photo: Bloomberg
The U9 was officially shown a year ago during the launch of the YangWang brand.
It was later revealed that it would feature BYD's in-house developed
Disus X smart suspension
.
In fact, the model also made headlines for "performing a dance" or driving with only three wheels.
All of this is thanks to the Disus
The "dance" was more of a demonstration of the potential to quickly adjust the suspension while driving.
Inside it looks simple but impersonal.
It has three LCD screens
and almost no physical commands.
Two of those screens are identical and measure 10.25 inches: one is the instrument panel for the driver and the other is in front of the passenger.
Video
BYD's YangWang U9 was launched in China with four electric motors and the ability to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.3 seconds.
It has a new suspension system that can quickly vary the height of each axle.
The largest vertical screen is 12.3″ and is located on the center console and brings together control of most of the vehicle's functions.
The three-spoke steering wheel groups the only physical controls in sight.
The start date of deliveries was not confirmed but it is estimated to be from mid-2024, as published by
CarNewsChina
.
But what is most striking is the price.
For its launch, it was announced that the U9 will go on sale in China with a value of 1.68 million yuan, equivalent to
$236,000
.
A Bugatti Divo has a price of 5 million dollars and a Rimac Nevera, 2.1 million dollars.
It also targets Ferrari and Lamborghini owners, which can cost more than twice as much.