The Yangwang U9 has just hit 233mph to become the world’s third-fastest EV

Watch out, Aspark Owl: the Yangwang U9 wants your crown. In a recent test, the U9 topped out at 233mph, which means only the Rimac Nevera (258mph) and the Owl (272mph) stand in its route to the throne.

That means it’s already snuck into the electric car world’s top three, putting it way past the likes of the Pininfarina Battista (222mph) and the Lotus Evija (218mph). The Tesla Roadster might be in with a shot someday too, if it ever goes from hopes and dreams to an actual production car.

What makes the U9’s feat even more impressive is that Yangwang claimed its top speed was ‘only’ 186mph back when it was first revealed. Talk about underestimating your shiny new car’s potential, right? Anyway, we should’ve seen this coming given that it's powered by a quartet of electric motors, with the all-important figures being 1,288bhp and 1,240lb ft.

It certainly looks the part, no? From the tightly profiled C-shaped headlights to the LMP-racer-like rear wing and the generous touches of carbon across the exterior, you’d be forgiven for thinking this is a two-something-million-quid hypercar. It’s not: Yangwang says the U9 will cost the equivalent of £183,000 when it goes on sale later this year. Woah.

That’s not a small outlay by any stretch of the imagination, but take that amount to a European manufacturer and you won’t walk out with a 233mph hypercar that dances.