BYD has opened an all-terrain circuit in Zhengzhou, one of the first in China designed specifically for New-Energy Vehicles (NEVs). The Zhengzhou facility, located in northern China, offers a purpose-designed venue for track racing, professional racer training and diverse circuit experiences, particularly for NEVs which are generally vehicles with electrified powertrains.
Differing from conventional single-track designs, the All-terrain Circuit integrates vehicle water-crossing, indoor sand-dune climbing and off-roading that allow visitors to experience diverse scenarios in one place.
27 off-road scenarios
Currently, there are 27 off-road scenarios, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Though the surface conditions are challenging, BYD says that even the driver of an urban SUV can confidently drive across through beginner-level terrain with intelligent all-wheel drive.
The circuit includes 8 experience zones: Indoor Sand Dune, Low-Friction Ring, Kick-Plate, Wading Pool, Dynamic Paddock, Race Track, Off-Road Park and Camping Area.
Featuring a 29.6-metre vertical drop and a 28-degree slope, the indoor sand dune has been certified by Guinness World Records as the highest and largest dune-climbing facility for car testing. Constructed with 6,200 tons of sand to mimic the granular composition of the Alxa Desert (in Inner Mongolia), it offers an authentic dune-bashing experience for all.
The 70-metre long water-crossing pool is exclusively designed for the YANGWANG U8. Through the underwater observation glass, visitors can witness the vehicle effortlessly manoeuvring forward, turning, or reversing in the water under the control of the e4 platform, which has been designed for extreme driving conditions.
The circuit also serves as an ideal place for demonstrating safety technologies in NEVs. The Kick Plate simulates icy road conditions with a wet, polished cement surface. Using movable suction plates to simulate the loss of control, it allows drivers to experience emergency situations in a controlled environment.
The Low Friction Circle, China’s first 44-metre (diameter) circular track, consists of 30,000 smooth basalt bricks paired with a 3 mm water covering. This ensures a constant friction coefficient between that of ice and snow. Users can easily achieve stable drifting with BYD’s millisecond-level electronic control response and intelligent body control systems in this zone, allowing anyone to enjoy drifting a vehicle – in safety.
Racetrack to off-road fun
The 1,758-metre long race track has 9 curves and a 550-metre straight acceleration section. Drivers can experience the strong acceleration of EVs on the straight or test vehicles’ steering precision in tight corners.
The 15,300-square-metre dynamic paddock features over a dozen scenarios, such as standard slalom, moose testing and automated parking, showcasing the full range of BYD’s intelligent technology.
Two more circuits coming
In addition to the Zhengzhou Circuit, BYD will soon open facilities in Hefei and Shaoxing. Notably, the off-road area in Shaoxing will cover 2,000 acres at an altitude of 500 metres.
These will support the ‘New Track Scheme’ announced by BYD and the Federation of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of China (CAMF) to introduce racing culture to more people, targeting 1 million users and nurturing 100 professional racers.
“BYD Circuits will accelerate the professionalization of China’s NEV racing events and reshape China’s automotive culture,” said Guojun Zhan, the President of CAMF.
