Electric sportscar production takes off in China

According to reports by Chinese media, BYD plans to start deliveries of its electric-powered Yangwang U9 super sports car at the end of August. Production is said to have started these days. BYD unveiled the model in February. Since then, it has been known that the Yangwang U9 has four motors, each with an output of 240 kW – totalling 960 kW. BYD is asking a price starting at 1.68 million yuan (equivalent to around 216,000 euros).

The super sports car was already announced at the presentation of the Yangwang brand in January 2023. According to BYD, the U9, which can reach speeds of up to 309 km/h, sprints from a standstill to 100 kph in 2.36 seconds. The blade battery can be charged with up to 500 kW. A special feature according to the Chinese media is that the U9 can be charged with two charging cables at the same time, which should only take ten minutes from 30 to 80 per cent.

Incidentally, the battery in the U9 is said to have a capacity of 80 kWh, which should be sufficient for a range of 450 kilometres in the Chinese CLTC cycle. With four motors of 240 kW each, the U9 has the same drive configuration as the 5.27 metre-long Yangwang U7 saloon, but a completely different body. Although the U9 is also 4.97 metres long and 2.03 metres wide, it is only 1.29 metres high – with a wheelbase of 2.90 metres. However, the design language makes the relationship clear.

With the export version of the Hyper SSR, another electric Chinese sports car has also gone into production. GAC Aion is launching the model for international markets under its Hyptec sub-brand. The brand was previously known as Hyper. Deliveries are due to start at the end of the month, probably in South East Asia. Followed by the Middle East, South America and Europe. The model was launched in China in October 2023 at a starting price of 1,286,000 yuan (around 165,000 euros).

The all-electric super sports car with gullwing doors delivers a maximum output of 900 kW. The model measures 4,583 x 1,988 x 1,238 mm with a wheelbase of 2,650 mm. It houses three motors with a total output of 900 kW and an NMC battery with 74.7 kWh for a CLTC range of up to 506 kilometres. In the top-of-the-range version, the Hyper SSR accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 1.9 seconds. The manufacturer specifies a top speed of 251 kph and an unladen weight of just under 2 tonnes. It is not clear from the media reports what the differences are between the domestic and export versions of the vehicle.

carnewschina.com (BYD), cnevpost.com, carnewschina.com (both GAC Aion)