Yangwang U9 hypercar to make 2024 Festival of Speed debut

The Yangwang U9 packs an electric powertrain that develops a healthy 1,300PS (956kW) and 1,680Nm (1,239lb ft) of torque, which will send it from 0-62mph in 2.36 seconds. It also features an adventurous design that will distinguish it from the likes of the Rimac Nevera.

The freedoms of being a new brand mean that a car like this can be drawn from a totally blank sheet, without necessary nods to legacy, or any design language to adhere to. A dream gig then for German design star Wolfgang Egger, who’s design CV includes the Alfa Romeo 8C and Audi R8.

The U9 uses an 800-volt electrical architecture and can charge at an absolutely ballistic 500kW, which allows its battery to be charged from 30 per cent to 80 per cent in ten minutes. Innovative too, is the fact it can take two plugs at once, allowing it to charge at twice the pace.

That’s not near the wildest feature of the U9, though. No, that honour goes to the fact it can perform a vertical jump. Yes, you read that right. You’ve seen the videos of the Mercedes GLS bouncing, using a mode designed to help free it from deep sand and mud, yes? This is the next level of that. By employing the U9’s active suspension system called DiSus, encompassing damping, electronics, and hydraulics, it can adjust ground clearance and even launch the car off the ground by going from a shrunken position to max height instantly.

Of course, the practical aim of this is to provide pin-sharp chassis control in high performance driving, but bunny hops are a fun technical showcase. We look forward to seeing it in action at the 2024 Festival of Speed.

The 2024 Festival of Speed takes place on 11^th-14^th July. Only Thursday general admission tickets remain, with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday tickets now sold out, although a limited number of hospitality packages for all days are still available. Tickets and packages can be purchased from £70.