One of the vital fascinating automobiles proven on the Bangkok Worldwide Motor Present (BIMS) was the BYD Yangwang U9, the model’s first electrical supercar. A part of the corporate’s luxurious YangWang sub-brand, this outlandish-looking factor solely not too long ago went on sale in China in February, so its look in Thailand is a little bit of a shock.
And whereas the BYD model instructions a far larger premium within the Center Kingdom than it does right here, the U9 continues to be a little bit of a stretch, retailing at an eye-watering 1,680,000 yuan (RM1.1 million). Fortunately, it does have loads of methods up its sleeve to assist justify the excessive worth, particularly the place efficiency is anxious.
Powering the U9 are 4 motors (one for every wheel), every producing 326 PS (240 kW). Collectively, they produce a staggering 1,306 PS (960 kW) and 1,680 Nm of torque, sufficient to propel the automotive from zero to 100 km/h in simply 2.36 seconds, on its strategy to a high velocity of 309 km/h.
However the U9 isn’t just concerning the efficiency. It’s the primary Chinese language automotive to come back with a carbon fibre monocoque, in addition to BYD’s DiSus-X lively physique management suspension, which the corporate says has been developed in-house. It makes use of cameras to scan the highway after which counters physique actions with electrical motors, reacting in as little as 40 milliseconds and lifting every wheel by as a lot as 75 mm at as much as 500 m/s.
These capabilities are what enable the U9 to carry out its notorious occasion methods, similar to dancing, driving on three wheels and even leaping in place. Its quad motors, in the meantime, allow the automotive to do a tank flip (spin in place), very like the U8 SUV.
The U9 continues to make use of BYD’s lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery expertise; with a capability of 80 kWh, the automotive has a claimed vary of 450 km. That’s on the notoriously lenient CLTC cycle, which implies the real-world vary is probably going lower than 400 km.
The automotive additionally options an 800-volt structure and might help as much as 500 kW of DC quick charging energy. This may be achieved through twin charging by way of the ports on either side, topping up the battery from 10 to 80% cost in simply ten minutes; it would presumably additionally make you highly regarded at busy charging stations. Incredulously, like many BYD fashions, the U9 nonetheless solely helps 7 kW of AC charging energy, taking seven hours to cost the battery from 10 to 80%.
It’s definitely a really striking-looking factor, the U9, with a number of slashes and scoops and a pair of butterfly doorways. On the entrance, you’ll discover distinctive C-shaped “interstellar” headlights, whereas the rear sports activities full-width taillights that stretch upwards within the center alongside the “backbone” of the automotive.
The automotive additionally has an lively rear spoiler and diffuser as normal, though the automotive you see right here comes with a set swan-neck wing as an alternative, paired with a Le Mans prototype-style dorsal fin. The wheels measure a large 21 inches and are shod with Pirelli P Zero tyres – 275/35 on the entrance, 325/30 on the rear. Behind them you’ll discover carbon ceramic discs with six-piston entrance and four-piston rear callipers.
Inside, there’s a double-bubble dashboard to provide occupants a cockpit-like really feel, enhanced by the 127-colour ambient lighting system. In entrance of the motive force sits a ten.25-inch mini-LED digital instrument show, whereas one other mini-LED 12.3-inch portrait touchscreen (not rotatable, sadly) controls the infotainment. Music is piped by way of a 12-speaker Dynaudio Proof Platinum sound system.
In contrast to the remainder of the automobiles being proven on the BYD stand – together with the Sea Lion 07, Seagull and 2024 Atto 3 – don’t count on the YangWang U9 to be offered in Southeast Asia anytime quickly. Other than anything, the posh EV market within the area simply isn’t there but – what number of Rolls-Royce Spectres have you ever seen on the highway? Then once more, given the present may of BYD, you’ll be able to by no means say by no means.
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