BYD’s Yangwang U9 Track Edition: A 3,000-HP Electric Track Monster

BYD has quietly filed regulatory documents that reveal a radical “Track Edition” of its Yangwang U9 hyper-GT. The headline figure is impossible to ignore: four motors rated at roughly 555 kW each, adding up to about 2,220 kW (≈3,019 hp) — a dramatic power bump over the production U9 and a clear signal that BYD is chasing extreme track performance. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

What the paperwork actually shows

The filings list a TZ240XYA motor spec at 555 kW per wheel, 20-inch wheels shod in wide 325/35 R20 tyres, a carbon-fibre roof, a large fixed carbon rear wing and an adjustable-vane rear diffuser. Many of these items are classic track upgrades — more downforce, stiffer structure and bigger contact patches — and they point toward a car that’s been optimized for circuit lap times rather than urban refinement alone. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Power, packaging and the engineering trade-offs

Packing 3,000 metric horsepower into a road-legal package forces engineers to balance cooling, torque distribution, and chassis stiffness. BYD’s U9 already uses an individual-wheel drive system and a sophisticated “DiSus” active suspension that can do extreme movements; the Track Edition appears to keep those systems but with higher-speed motors and beefed up aero to convert raw power into usable lap times. Expect beefier inverters, upgraded cooling plumbing, and revised thermal management for both motors and battery. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Battery, range and charging considerations

BYD’s U9 base model uses an ~80 kWh Blade LFP pack with very fast DC charging capability; a Track Edition focused on peak power will likely trade some range or require heavier duty cooling to sustain repeated high-power laps. High continuous power output stresses battery temperature and current delivery — likely meaning a Track Edition will prioritize peak performance and circuit durability over long, relaxed range numbers. Several reports note that BYD’s charging architecture (up to 500 kW in other U9 variants) and Blade chemistry already give the platform resilience, but expect track-day range to be far shorter than highway figures. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Handling: more than straight-line speed

Raw horsepower makes headlines, but turning that power into consistent lap times is a system problem: tyres, suspension, aero and electronic torque vectoring must work in concert. The Track Edition’s wider 325-mm front tyres (matching the rears) and adjustable aero surfaces indicate BYD is addressing mechanical grip and aerodynamic balance. The U9’s active suspension that can “hop” or control each wheel independently is a unique tool in this context — tuned for the track it can improve traction and stability under extreme lateral loads. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

How it compares to rivals

In absolute output the Track Edition sits well above most production electric hypercars and challenges purpose-built track monsters. For perspective, the Rimac Nevera and other hypercars tend to occupy the 1,900–2,000 hp class; BYD’s claimed 3,000 hp figure puts it in rarified territory if the system can be reliably delivered on road and track. Whether it actually beats established lap records depends on many factors, but BYD’s filing makes clear this is intended to be a headline-grabbing engineering statement as much as a commercial catalog item. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Production, legality and the next steps

The MIIT filing is a regulatory step — it doesn’t guarantee global deliveries or final performance figures — but it does signal BYD’s intent and provides a first look at engineering choices. Further validation will come from BYD’s own press materials, independent dyno tests and track outings. If BYD can ship a reliable, serviceable Track Edition, expect strong interest from collectors and track-day enthusiasts — and hard questions about service, warranty and safety for such extreme machines. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Why this matters

The U9 Track Edition illustrates two trends: Chinese automakers rapidly moving upmarket with technically ambitious projects, and electric vehicle platforms becoming flexible enough to host extreme variants without bespoke race-car cores. Whether the 3,000-horse headline is a marketing peak or the start of a new class of production-legal electric track cars, it underscores how quickly EV performance boundaries are being pushed.