China's YangWang U9 - the Dancing Queen of Supercars - Goes On Sale
Can you keep up with the latest electric supercar announcements? It seems there's a new kid on the block every week, boasting mind-blowing numbers and a price tag that would make a banker faint. This time, it's China's BYD that finally has gone official with their YangWang U9. No more spy shots, no more guessing. This mad contraption, with more power than a train and rear wing that can easily compete with any jet - or serve as launch table - is real. And it is expensive.
The U9 wants a serious slice of that hypercar pie; it's one of the most powerful electric cars on the market, rocking four electric motors pumping out a ridiculous 1,287 horsepower. This beastly powertrain can supposedly take the 5,456 lb (2,475 kg) leviathan from a standstill to 60 mph (97 kph) in a mere 2.36 seconds and on to a top speed of roughly 192 mph (309 km/h).
So, why isn't the U9 breaking records like the Tesla Model S Plaid or Lucid Air Sapphire? The answer is hidden beneath the sheet metal. See, while its competitors juice things up with fancy battery chemistry, the U9 prefers BYD's more affordable (read: cheaper) LFP battery. With a capacity of only 80-kWh, don't expect cross-country road trips; BYD claims about 290 miles (467 km), but that's likely on China's forgiving test cycle. I'd bet my lunch money on less range in the real world, especially if you spend your time unleashing those wild horses.
The tradeoff for the less-costly battery? A hefty curb weight. The U9's battery alone weighs 1,395 lb (633 kg) – 330 lb (150 kg) more than the Model S Plaid's battery pack, despite having way less capacity. Add that extra poundage to the U9's already hefty frame, and it's looking at nearly 500 lb (227 kg) more than the Tesla and about 150 lb (68 kg) over the Lucid. Let's call it an extra passenger you can't kick out for those 0-60 mph bragging rights.
Of course, who needs outright speed when you have "features?" The U9 can crabwalk like a Hummer EV, perform hilarious tank turns, and even drive on three wheels. Why? Because it can! It's all thanks to BYD's fancy "DiSus-X" adjustable suspension. Entertaining? Sure. Useful? That's for you and your TikTok followers to decide.
But hey, maybe all this flashiness is a ruse because the U9's interior is a bit of a letdown. Three chunky, dated-looking screens and a steering wheel straight out of a 2002 Buick don't exactly scream "cutting-edge supercar." At least it's supposedly packed with tech – think auto-parking and a fancy Qualcomm-powered cockpit.
Now, here's the kick in your brand new shiny porcelains: BYD wants their YangWang sub-brand to be their luxury play, and the U9's price definitely reflects that. Are we talking Ferrari-level cash? Nope. How about a cool $236,000 USD? Yikes! That puts it in direct competition with established brands and other ambitious Chinese startups.
The bottom line? The YangWang U9 packs a punch, brings some quirky features, but also carries some serious compromises. Whether it has the looks, the luxury, and the outright performance to steal buyers from established supercar royalty is a big question mark. In a market overflowing with ridiculously powerful electric contenders, the U9 needs more than a dance mode and a hefty price tag to stand out. It's a bold play by BYD, but whether their gamble will pay off is about as clear as the instructions on those cheap Ikea shelves.
Yours truly,
Captain Electro
