Chinese Electric Vehicle Market News

BYD Yangwang U9 Supercar Price Surges $16,200 After Xtreme Edition Claims Fastest Production Car Title 

   On October 16, 2025, BYD's luxury Yangwang brand announced a significant price increase for its flagship U9 electric supercar, hiking the starting price by 120,000 yuan ($16,200 USD) to 1.8 million yuan ($252,540 USD). The adjustment comes hot on the heels of the September 2025 debut of the limited-edition U9 Xtreme, which shattered speed records by hitting a verified top speed of 496.22 km/h (308.4 mph) at Germany's Automotive Testing Papenburg—earning it the crown as the world's fastest production car. The Xtreme also clocked a Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 6:59.157, eclipsing prior EV benchmarks. Only 30 units of this track-specialized variant will be produced.

Performance and Engineering Highlights

    The core U9 packs a quartet of electric motors delivering a blistering 960 kW (1,306 hp) and 1,680 Nm (1,239 lb-ft) of torque. It blasts from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 2.36 seconds, conquers the quarter-mile in 9.78 seconds, and tops out at 309 km/h (192 mph). An 80 kWh battery underpins it all, offering 450 km (280 miles) of CLTC-rated range, with ultra-fast charging from 30-80% in just 10 minutes or a full slow charge in about seven hours.Measuring 4,966 mm long, 2,029 mm wide, and 1,295 mm tall (up to 1,338 mm with options), the U9 rides on a 2,900 mm wheelbase and shod with 275/35 R21 front and 325/30 R21 rear tires. Its "Time-Space Door" aesthetic features cosmic-inspired C-shaped headlights, electric butterfly doors, carbon-fiber accents, a massive rear diffuser, and adjustable aero fins. Color choices include Moon Silver, Argyle Purple, and Red Pearl.Inside, a driver-centric cockpit blends carbon fiber and Alcantara, with a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, 12.3-inch vertical infotainment screen, and intuitive rotary controls. Tech perks encompass adaptive cruise control, auto-parking, and remote maneuvering.

Incentives and Market Positioning

   To sweeten the deal amid the price bump, early depositors (October 1–December 31, 2025) snag a six-year/150,000 km full-vehicle warranty, lifetime three-electric system coverage, upgrade perks, and enhanced ADAS goodies. While BYD wages a fierce price war in its mass-market lineup, the U9 bucks the trend with premium pricing, targeting elite buyers.

Rivals and Broader Impact

    The U9 now squares off against the Haobo SSR (1.286–1.686 million yuan, or $180,400–$236,500 USD) and Maserati GranTurismo Folgore (1.988 million yuan, ~$279,000 USD), leveraging the Xtreme's feats to cement Yangwang's status in the hyper-competitive EV supercar arena. This move signals BYD's dual strategy: affordability for the masses, opulence for the affluent.