BYD Company Limited's luxury brand Yangwang has made headlines with an extraordinary announcement that pushes the boundaries of electric vehicle performance.

According to the latest Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) vehicle announcement, Yangwang has declared a new U9 variant with unprecedented specifications. While it's unclear whether this represents a new model revision, this "new U9" showcases remarkable technical ambitions.

**Technical Specifications and Changes**

The new U9 maintains a similar exterior design with the most notable addition being an optional large front splitter. The tire configuration has been updated from the previous setup of 275/35 R21 front and 325/30 R21 rear to a unified 325/35 R20 specification - essentially downsizing the wheels by one inch while widening the front tires. The tire brand has also shifted from Pirelli P Zero to a custom collaboration with Giti, suggesting improvements in grip performance.

However, the most striking change lies in the powertrain. MIIT documents reveal that all four electric motors now deliver peak power of 555kW each. Combined, this translates to an astronomical 3,019 horsepower - a figure that dwarfs most contemporary supercars.

**Performance Context**

To put this in perspective, the hybrid Koenigsegg Gemera produces 2,300 horsepower, while pure electric supercars like the Aspark Owl and Lotus Evija generate around 1,900 horsepower. Even the legendary Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ with its W16 engine reaches "only" 1,600 horsepower while achieving a top speed of 490.4 km/h.

This extreme power output demonstrates BYD Company Limited's advanced three-electric (battery, motor, electronic control) technology, particularly the thousand-volt platform launched earlier this year that can support such high-power four-motor configurations.

The new motor designation TZ240XYA suggests an increase from the previous TZ210XYW used in the Han L, with the "240" likely indicating a 30mm larger diameter compared to the "210," potentially delivering higher torque output.

**Technical Challenges**

Despite the impressive specifications, several critical questions remain about real-world performance, particularly given the complex relationship between electric vehicle power and track performance.

**Weight Considerations**

Current fast lap record holders maintain strict weight control. The second-place Volkswagen ID.R uses a front-rear single motor configuration, while the third-place Xiaomi SU7 Ultra prototype employs a front-one-rear-two motor setup, both keeping weight under 2 tons. The record-holding hybrid Porsche 919 weighs just 849kg.

In contrast, distributed-drive vehicles like the U9 typically exceed 2 tons. The previous U9's carbon fiber body weighs 254.1kg with 30.1% carbon fiber content - genuine supercar specifications. However, the four motors and reduction gears add approximately 400kg, combined with the official 633kg battery pack, totaling over 1 ton for these components alone.

Additional systems like the Yangwang's "Yi Sifang" four-wheel independent drive system, "Yunlian-Z" active suspension, integrated radar scanning, and comprehensive autonomous driving capabilities, plus luxury interior appointments, pushed the original U9 to 2,475kg. The new U9 weighs 2,480kg - remarkably only 5kg heavier despite more powerful motors, wider tires, and additional aerodynamic components.

**Thermal Management and Braking**

The combination of extreme weight and power creates significant thermal management challenges. During intense track use, the system must handle over 1,000kW output during acceleration and several hundred kW regenerative input during braking - power levels exceeding most charging stations.

This creates what can be described as "thermal hell" for the vehicle systems. Like mobile processors throttling under heavy gaming loads, electric powertrains reduce output when overheating occurs. Engineers must carefully calibrate when to maximize energy recovery versus when to dissipate excess heat.

The ideal scenario would leverage the U9's active chassis control to create track-specific three-electric strategies and even wheel camber adjustments for optimal performance at each circuit.

**Tire Performance**

The previous U9 experienced front tire failures during Nürburgring attempts due to the front wheels handling both steering and power delivery simultaneously. The wider front tire specification should address this issue, though questions remain about the switch to Giti tires from Pirelli.

**Future Prospects**

While track lap times remain the primary benchmark, recent developments suggest focus on top speed records. Yangwang's product center director recently posted about a new record achievement before quickly deleting the content, hinting at potential top speed breakthroughs exceeding 500 km/h.

Such achievement would rival Xiaomi's prototype securing third place at the Nürburgring, potentially establishing Yangwang's premium positioning in the luxury performance segment.

The new U9 represents BYD's technological showcase, though real-world performance validation awaits official track testing results. The extreme specifications raise important questions about the practical application of such power levels in production vehicles, highlighting the ongoing evolution of electric supercar development.