The YangWang U9, a high-performance electric hypercar, has generated considerable interest for its impressive capabilities and relatively affordable price in the hypercar market. Priced around $236,000, the U9 is a luxurious offering from YangWang, a subsidiary of China’s largest automaker, BYD. While the world of electric hypercars is increasingly crowded with models boasting high horsepower and fast acceleration, the U9 sets itself apart with its innovative features, particularly its active suspension system.
BYD’s YangWang: A luxury brand with strong backing
YangWang is the luxury and performance division of BYD, which has emerged as a global leader in the automotive industry. As of recently, BYD ranks as the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer and the ninth-largest automaker overall, with 1.9 million vehicle sales in the current year. This represents a 24.33% increase over the previous year, highlighting BYD’s growing influence in the industry. YangWang, BYD’s luxury arm, aims to capture the premium market with vehicles like the U9.
Key performance metrics of the YangWang U9
The U9 boasts a 1,287-horsepower electric powertrain, which allows it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 2.36 seconds. While this is an impressive feat, the hypercar market is now saturated with models offering similar, if not faster, acceleration and top speeds. The U9’s top speed is electronically limited to 300 km/h (186 mph), placing it in the same performance bracket as other electric supercars.
Despite these numbers, what really makes the U9 stand out isn’t just its speed or horsepower but rather its innovative suspension system and how the car interacts with its environment.
The DiSus suspension system: More than just a ride
One of the most talked-about features of the YangWang U9 is its advanced ‘DiSus’ active suspension system. This system allows for quick adjustments in ride height—up to 75 mm (3 inches)—at each wheel, providing practical benefits such as improving stability during acceleration and cornering. The suspension is also designed to counteract body roll by adjusting the height of individual wheels, which improves the car’s handling and keeps the vehicle level under various driving conditions.
However, the DiSus system offers more than just practical advantages. The U9’s suspension is capable of lifting the car off the ground. While this feature doesn’t serve a practical purpose—there’s no real need to “jump” over obstacles or potholes—it demonstrates the strength and versatility of the suspension system. This feature is more of a party trick than a functional aspect, but it certainly catches the eye.
In addition to this bouncing capability, the U9 can also perform a “tank turn,” where the vehicle rotates on the spot by controlling torque distribution between the wheels. This function isn’t unique to YangWang, as other electric vehicles like Rivian’s off-road 4WDs have demonstrated similar abilities. However, the tank turn is often more of a showpiece than a practical maneuver, and in Rivian’s case, it was excluded from production models. YangWang, on the other hand, seems more willing to embrace the dramatic visual impact of such a feature, as seen in a promotional video where several U8s perform synchronized tank turns on tarmac.
The role of active suspension in everyday driving
Beyond its showy features, the DiSus suspension system has practical applications that make it more than a mere novelty. The suspension can adapt to various driving situations by raising the rear of the car during acceleration and the front during braking. This helps in maintaining stability and reduces the impact of forces on the vehicle, keeping the ride smooth and level. Additionally, the system is designed to improve traction by ensuring that the tires maintain consistent contact with the road.
These enhancements are particularly beneficial for a high-performance vehicle like the U9, where handling and stability are crucial. While the suspension’s ability to bounce the car and perform tank turns might grab headlines, it’s the system’s ability to improve everyday driving dynamics that will likely have the most lasting impact on drivers.
YangWang U9: A balance of performance and innovation
In a world where electric supercars are increasingly defined by their acceleration times and top speeds, the YangWang U9 takes a different approach by focusing on innovation through its suspension technology. It may not be the fastest hypercar on the market, but it brings unique features that appeal to those interested in more than just raw performance numbers.
Priced at around $236,000, the U9 also stands out for being relatively affordable within the hypercar segment. While other electric supercars often reach well into the millions, the U9 offers buyers a chance to own a high-performance, feature-rich vehicle without an astronomical price tag. This makes it an attractive option for those looking to experience the future of hypercars without breaking the bank.
Source: YangWang
