BYD opens all-terrain racetrack in Zhengzhou to promote NEV tech, driving culture

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On August 14, BYD officially opened its Zhengzhou All-Terrain Racetrack, one of China's first racing facilities dedicated to new energy vehicles (NEVs).

According to the automaker, built around the concept of "a track for all, fun for everyone," the venue aims to lower the barriers of entry typically associated with motorsports — such as high costs, limited availability, and lack of variety — while creating a full-service ecosystem spanning high-performance driving, professional training, brand events, and public education on NEV culture.

Photo credit: BYD

Unlike conventional racetracks with a single circuit design, BYD has recreated signature landscapes from across China within the venue, offering features such as amphibious driving pools and desert dune climbs.

Photo credit: BYD

The sand slope section — with a 29.6-meter vertical height and a 28° gradient — has earned two Guinness World Records for being the tallest and largest dune test site. It allows visitors to experience Alxa-style sand dune challenges without leaving the city, while a 300-square-meter observation deck on top offers a comfortable vantage point in all weather.

A 70-meter-long amphibious pool, designed exclusively for the YANGWANG U8, showcases the model's ability to move and steer in water using BYD's e⁴ platform, with transparent acrylic windows giving spectators an underwater view.

Beyond entertainment, the raceway also serves as a platform for demonstrating NEV safety technologies. Its simulated ice track uses wet polished concrete to mimic icy conditions, paired with movable plates that create sudden loss-of-control scenarios, enabling drivers to practice recovery techniques in a controlled environment.

Another highlight is a 44-meter-diameter low-friction circular track — the first of its kind in China — paved with over 30,000 basalt bricks and equipped with a water film system that replicates grip levels between ice and snow.

Spanning the thrill of high-speed acceleration to the demands of off-road climbing, the venue offers a full-spectrum driving experience. The 1,758-meter main track features nine turns, a 550-meter straight for speeds exceeding 220 km/h, and multiple off-road challenges.

A 15,300-square-meter multifunctional area hosts more than a dozen testing scenarios — from slalom and intelligent parking to AEB, fishhook, and moose tests. The 27 off-road modules faithfully replicate famous routes such as the Sichuan–Xizang Highway and Chengfo Slope, catering to all skill levels and enabling even urban SUVs to showcase their capability via all-wheel drive set-up.

After the adrenaline of driving challenges, a 9,000-square-meter camping zone offers visitors a place to relax, blending recreation with leisure.

Following the Hefei and Zhengzhou site, BYD will open its Shaoxing raceway early next year. In East China, the company is also developing a 2,000-mu (about 1.33 km²) mountain off-road base at 500 meters elevation, combining challenging terrain with eco-tourism.

In parallel, BYD and the China Automobile and Motorcycle Sports Federation have jointly launched the "New Track Initiative," aimed at lowering the barriers to motorsports and broadening public access, injecting fresh momentum into China's automotive culture.