BYD is a little-known brand in Europe, but soon we are going to hear a lot more about this Chinese manufacturer. Warren Buffet has invested in this brand, and at the moment, it is the world’s largest manufacturer of electric cars – surpassing Tesla recently. BYD will land in Europe in 2023 with an ambitious range of zero-emission vehicles, and in the meantime, launches Yangwang, its first premium brand. This brand will debut with the U8, a luxury electric SUV, and the U9: a 100% electric supercar with ordeal benefits.
Both cars will use a new platform called Yisifang. The peculiarity of the platform is that it mounts an electric motor per wheel, which in the case of the U9 supercar, will have a power of between 295 CV and 322 CV. The consulted sources estimate their final power in the environment of 1,100 CV, with a maximum torque of 1,600 Nm. BYD claims that this vehicle will be capable of doing 0 to 100 km/h in 2.0 seconds. This figure is better than that of a Tesla Model S Plaid and is comparable to that of the Rimac Nevera, the fastest electric supercar in the world.
It costs half the price of a Lamborghini Huracán. Or a third of the price of an Aventador.
There is not much more information available about it, beyond a reference price in the Chinese market: one million yuan. At the current exchange rate we are talking about something more than 137,000 euros. This electric supercar is designed as frontal attack on european supercars, which for the moment, flatly reject electrification – with few exceptions in the hypercar segment. However, for price, it points squarely at sports cars with as much tradition as the Porsche 911.
BYD’s plans for the Yangwang U9 in Europe are currently unknown. But knowing that the brand plans an imminent landing on our continent – it already has a corporate structure and even communication teams – It is not at all unreasonable to think that the U9 can be sold in these parts. The appearance of the car is already a matter of taste: its forms imitate those of a mid-engine supercar, and beyond the huge front optics, the opening of its doors, its edges, diffuser and rear spoiler are powerfully reminiscent of a certain brand.
BYD will land in Europe in 2023, with a 100% electric range.
Another of its toughest rivals will be the Tesla Roadster, if it ever goes into mass production or its release date is announced.
