The BYD U9 electric supercar is being built to take on the Rimac Nevera with a power figure that would place it at the top of the production car rankings.
The track-focused model will use four motors producing a combined 2,948hp, according to official filings in China.
It is expected to reach 217mph, putting it just behind the Rimac Nevera’s 268mph record.
With questions over whether the car can deliver that performance for more than a short burst, its launch is set to be one of the most closely watched in the electric supercar segment.
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BYD U9’s Power Play Against the Rimac Nevera
Information from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology shows the quad-motor BYD U9 will generate 2,200 kW, equal to 2,948hp.
That is 870hp more than the Rimac Nevera R, which already holds multiple acceleration records for a road-legal electric supercar.
While the U9’s top speed is lower, the power figure marks a significant gap that could make it one of the most powerful production cars ever sold.
Rimac CEO Mate Rimac has publicly questioned whether the quad-motor EV can sustain this power for more than brief periods.
He noted that battery discharge capacity, motor load, and tire grip could limit performance.
These limitations are familiar to anyone who follows high-performance EV development.
Even the Rimac Nevera itself, despite its record-setting performance, must carefully manage power delivery to avoid overwhelming its tires and systems.
The BYD U9 Track Edition will be fitted with 325-section 20-inch tires at all four corners to help manage its output.
The aerodynamic package includes a fixed rear wing, a prominent front splitter, and an adjustable rear diffuser.
Each element is designed to increase stability at speed and keep the quad-motor EV planted under acceleration.
The car’s suspension and braking systems are also expected to be upgraded over the standard U9 to cope with the demands of track use.
While the dual-motor BYD U9 already produces 1,287hp and can reach 62mph in 2.36 seconds, the quad-motor version could cut that figure significantly.
The Rimac Nevera R holds a 1.72-second record for the same sprint. So even small improvements would place the U9 among the quickest accelerating cars ever built.
Raising the Stakes in the Electric Supercar Race
The BYD U9’s arrival shows how quickly Chinese manufacturers are moving into territory once dominated by low-volume European builders.
It also reflects the increasing willingness of high-volume EV brands to invest in halo models, not purely for sales numbers, but as demonstrations of engineering capability.
The electric supercar segment has developed rapidly in recent years, with vehicles like the Rimac Nevera setting benchmarks for both performance and technology.
The Nevera combines its high power output with advanced torque vectoring, regenerative braking systems, and sophisticated battery management.
For BYD to match or surpass this balance of power and control, it will need more than raw output.
It will require the software and mechanical integration that makes those numbers usable in real-world conditions.
If the BYD U9 delivers its claimed performance on the track and in independent testing, it could push the industry toward faster advances in battery cooling, inverter efficiency, and tire development.
Even if peak power is only available in short bursts, the car’s existence changes the conversation around what a production EV can achieve.
The rivalry between the BYD U9 and Rimac Nevera will be closely followed, not just for the performance numbers, but for what it signals about the future direction of electric supercars.
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