BYD

Is Europe Facing a Battle Already Lost?

In the frenzied race toward electrification, one piece of news recently struck like a thunderclap: BYD’s Yangwang U9 supercar shattered the world speed record, reaching over 472 km/h. A triumph that silenced critics—including Mate Rimac, the head of the formidable Nevera brand. For us at WOT, this story is far more than just a speed record; it’s a lesson in humility for the European automotive industry, and a sign that the future we advocate for might just be the only one left.

A Lesson in Humility: When Chinese Engineering Silences the Experts

Just a few weeks ago, Mate Rimac, whose Nevera previously held the speed record, expressed open skepticism about BYD’s ability to reach 3,000 horsepower. He highlighted the technical challenges related to battery output, and especially the difficulty of transmitting that level of power to the ground without losing grip. His logic was sound, coming from one of the world’s top experts.

But BYD, true to its own unique strategy, worked behind the scenes before making a bold move. Quietly and without fanfare, the Yangwang U9 Track Edition not only achieved this mind-bending power figure, but also broke Rimac’s global speed record. This success didn’t happen by chance, it’s the result of cutting-edge engineering: a 1,200V ultra-high-voltage architecture, an active DiSus-X suspension system, and wheel-by-wheel torque management capable of adjusting 100 times per second.

This victory is a slap in the face for all the naysayers who believed China was incapable of matching European know-how.

Europe: Fighting a Battle Already Lost?

BYD’s success reveals where the real battle for the future of the auto industry is being fought: in electric technology, development speed, and price-to-performance ratio. On that front, Chinese brands hold undeniable power: they have no legacy of combustion engines to protect, and they can innovate at breakneck speed. The result is clear: it’s becoming increasingly irrelevant for a European consumer to opt for a European electric vehicle, often more expensive and less technologically advanced.

At WOT, we can only acknowledge this reality. And even though we possess undeniable expertise in electric motor tuning, our hearts just aren’t in it. Because for us, the true soul of the automobile still lies in the craftsmanship of German engine builders, the sound of a combustion engine, the driving pleasure that these powertrains deliver. We’d love to freeze time, go back to the past, but that, sadly, is no longer possible.

Homologation: A Hope to Keep the Joy of Driving Alive

That’s why, at WOT, we’ve put a strong focus on engine tuning homologation. It’s our way of not letting this soul die. It’s the only way, within our field, to keep the emotion of driving alive, while staying within legal bounds and ensuring sustainability.

Every day, we hope that traditional automakers, aware of their own value, will continue to invest in exceptional combustion engines, even if only in small series. That’s the field where we can continue to be amazed and keep passion alive. Because let’s be honest: fighting China on the EV front feels like a battle that’s already lost.