Yangwang is not a household name, at least not yet. The brand from Chinese vehicle maker BYD produces high-end cars and SUVs, including the Yangwang U9 all-electric supercar. On 8 August, a Yangwang U9 Track Edition set a new global electric vehicle (EV) top-speed record of 293.54 mph / 472.41 km/h at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in Germany, officially making it the world’s fastest EV. Giti Tire is proud of the role its tyres played in securing this record.
Commenting on the result that the Yangwang U9 Track Edition achieved while wearing GitiSport e.GTR2 Pro tyres, Giti remarks that “this achievement represents a milestone in tyre technology for electric vehicles and sets a new benchmark for the future of high-performance electric mobility.”
Partnership built on innovation
The Track Edition wears 325/35 R20 tyres on all four wheels, a different specification to the standard Yangwang U9. But this is far from the only point of difference – the most significant Track Edition upgrade involves its four electric motors, which together produce more than double the power of the standard model, delivering 3,018 PS (2,977 hp or 2,220 kW).
Giti began pitching its capabilities to join the Yangwang U9 project in April 2023, presenting its history of competitive achievements, product development, and technical expertise. It completed the first prototype tyre in March 2024 and tested this at the Yangcheng Test Site in China during July 2024, reaching 233mph / 375 km/h. Further development led to a speed of 243.53 mph / 391.93 km/h at the ATP site in Germany between September and October 2024, setting a new top-speed record for the Chinese electric vehicle market.
By June 2025, advanced prototypes achieved an indoor test speed of 500 km/h (310.69 mph), validating the product’s readiness for extreme applications. This culminated in the August 2025 breakthrough, with the Yangwang U9 Track Edition on GitiSport e.GTR2 Pro tyres recording a real-world top speed of 293.54 mph / 472.41 km/h.
This latest record was set by German racing driver Marc Basseng, who was behind the wheel for the previous global EV speed record in 2024. After completing the high-speed test for Yangwang, he said: “Last year, I thought I’d peaked. I never expected to break my own record so soon – but here we are, at the same track, with new technologies that have made it possible.”
The Giti-shod U9 Track Edition on the ATP circuit (Image: Yangwang)
Engineering for extreme EV demands
Electric supercars pose unique challenges: weights between 1,900–2,800 kg, horsepower exceeding 1,000 hp, and extreme forces under high-speed cornering and braking. Giti says it purpose built the GitiSport e.GTR2 Pro to meet these demands with cutting-edge technology, including:
Molecular Chain Optimisation: Reinforced rubber compounds improving tensile and tear strength for stability at extreme speeds.
Ultra-High-Strength Aramid Fibres: Novel structural reinforcement materials boosting load-bearing capacity.
Next-Gen Racing Profile: Optimised tire geometry for even pressure distribution, reducing heat build-up and energy loss.
RaceGrip Pro Formulation: Race-grade fillers that increase grip by 38 per cent and expand the tire’s operating temperature range.
Anti-Standing Wave Structure: Prevents deformation at ultra-high speeds, validated in 500 km/h indoor tests.
Fast Warm-Up Additives: Reduce tyre warm-up time by 60 per cent for quicker priming.
Bionic Sidewall Design: Enhances support, improving response speed and cornering ability.
Giti confirms that the tyre is certified to CCC/ECE regulations and positions GitiSport e.GET2 alongside other leading competitors in the street-legal semi-slick arena, such as the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R and Goodyear Super Sport RS.
Tyres for future EV supercars
The GitiSport e Series, including the GTR2 Pro, will integrate motorsport-proven technology into a range of future street-legal products, designed to meet OEM specifications and secure regulatory certifications. This project anticipates the rise of electric supercars and electric motorsports worldwide.
In alignment with Giti’s global low-carbon objectives, the tyre maker reports that its development and production of the GitiSport e.GTR2 Pro “followed environmentally responsible processes,” reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainable mobility.
Meeting evolving needs
Giti supported the record-breaking test with experts from its team, including Zhang Rui, Giti’s Racing Team Representative, and Sebastian, from Giti’s European R&D Centre. The team managed all tyre-related activities, including usage strategies, pressure and temperature regulation, and testing support.
“The GitiSport e.GTR2 Pro embodies Giti’s mission to merge race-track innovation with everyday tyre solutions,” states Giti. The company adds that with decades of motorsport experience, data-driven engineering, and advanced R&D, Giti continues to deliver products that “meet the evolving needs of both car manufacturers and drivers.”
“We are proud to have partnered with BYD on the Yangwang U9 project and to have contributed to this historic achievement,” adds Ge Feng Lei, Deputy General Manager, Project Management Department, Giti Research & Development Centre. “This record validates our technical expertise and reinforces our commitment to enabling the next generation of sustainable, high-performance electric mobility.”
