BYD unveiled the Yangwang U9 earlier this year. It is a model with supercar credentials that has some tricks up its sleeve. It pulls stunts like no other car can do. Just to give you a clue here: it can drive on three wheels just as well as it does on four, with no compromise on stability and comfort. Name one car that can do that. Yes, we didn't think so!
The U9 was unveiled on April 6, 2023, at the Shanghai Auto Show, by BYD's premium brand, Yangwang, together with its sibling, the plug-in hybrid U8 SUV. If the name does ring a bell, let us make it easier for you.
We have previously reported about the U8's ability to float. It is equipped with an emergency floating mode, which prevents sinking for 30 minutes. It can also move through water with a speed of 1.8 mph (3 kph) and turn wheels. On land and water both, it can do the famous tank turn. Furthermore, the world's most aerodynamic car, the U6, with a drag coefficient of only 0.195 Cd, also wears the Yangwang badge. So it pretty much sounds like Yangwang is an expert in tricks when it comes to cars.
The order books for the U9 supercar opened on April 18 in China. It sells as a Chinese model, but it doesn't exactly have a Chinese background. The model was developed in Germany by car designer Wolfgang Egger, who had previously worked for Lamborghini, Audi, and Alfa Romeo. He has been on the BYD team since 2017.
#1 It has a bombastic design and scissor doors
With the Yangwang U9, you get what they see. An instant head-turner, it is a two-door super coupe underpinned by BYD's e4 sophisticated platform. The model owes its looks to ex-Audi veteran Wolfgang Egger, now chief designer for BYD. Inspired by the shape of a dolphin, it comes with smooth yet muscular lines as if it is on steroids, bringing some serious McLaren vibes.
Photo: BYD
There is no way you could keep a low profile in this sleek, low-slung supercar riding on flamboyant 20-inch wheels. Once those scissors doors pop open, attention is guaranteed. A massive rear diffuser and spoiler bring the extra drama and make it look like a road-legal rocket.
#2 It can drive on three wheels
Yes, you read that right. It can really drive on three wheels. That is all thanks to the DiSus Suspension System. A video uploaded by the carmaker on YouTube shows the model driving as if it does not have a care in the world. But the camera steers toward where the right front wheel should be. But the wheel is missing.
The in-house intelligent active body control allows the car to remain stable and drive smoothly even when cornering at high speed on only three wheels.
#3 It can jump
You probably remember the Mercedes-Benz GLE jumping its way out of a predicament in the off-road, all thanks to its E-Active Body Control with Bounce Mode. For BYD, things are a little different. The Yangwang supercar is equipped, the carmaker says, with the world's first hydraulic suspension.
The DiSus suspension is divided into three subsystems: the DiSus-A controls the intelligent air suspension, the DiSus-C works on the intelligent damping, while the DiSus-C controls the hydraulic part of the suspension. It is the A that makes the car jump like the Easter Bunny.
#4 It can dance
There is also a Disus-A system, which can make adjustments of up to 150 millimeters (5.9 inches). The intelligent damping system processes thousands of signals per second and adjusts the firmness of the suspension in milliseconds.
Meanwhile, the DiSus-P can travel as far as 200 millimeters (7.8 inches) up and down and lift each of the four corners of the car independently. That is why, once this is activated, it looks like it is dancing on its wheels.
Eight months ago, during its official unveiling, the supercar did the jumping and dancing to awe the crowd present at the event.
#5 It comes with 1,100 horsepower
BYD is renowned for becoming the world's biggest plug-in hybrid manufacturer. Yet this is not what powers the U9. The range-topping variant comes with a quad-motor setup for a total of 1,100 horsepower (820 kW / 1,115 PS). The model flashes from zero to hero (0 to 62 mph or 0 to 100 kph) in less than 2.0 seconds, according to the carmaker.
Photo: BYD
Energy is stored in a lithium-ion 100-kWh battery pack, which provides the car with 430 miles (700 kilometers) of range on the generous China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC). The battery can be recharged to 80 percent of its capacity in 30 minutes.
There is also a dual-motor variant with 603 horsepower (611 PS) and 738 lb-ft of torque (1,000 kilometers), capable of driving as far as 373 miles (600 kilometers) on a single charge.
The model starts at one million yuan in Mainland China, which translates into $140,640. The price, of course, includes the dancing show.
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