China’s latest high-speed train, the CR450, is undergoing operational evaluation on the Shanghai–Chongqing–Chengdu high-speed rail line, marking another milestone in the country’s pursuit of transport innovation.

Touted as the world’s fastest electric multiple unit (EMU), the CR450 has been subjected to continuous and rigorous testing since its prototype was unveiled late last year. The train has already achieved a top speed of 450 kilometres per hour, meeting all key performance standards, state broadcaster CGTN reported.

Before entering commercial passenger service, the train must complete 600,000 kilometres of operation during the current testing phase.

Aerodynamic breakthroughs

The CR450’s record-breaking speed is the result of a series of aerodynamic and structural enhancements. The nose cone has been lengthened from 12.5 metres, seen in existing 350 km/h trains, to 15 metres, substantially reducing air resistance.

Engineers have also cut the train’s overall drag by 22 per cent through design innovations such as fully enclosing the bogies and lowering the skirt panels beneath the carriages — minimising wheel exposure like high-performance race cars. The CR450 is 20 centimetres lower and 50 tonnes lighter than its predecessors.

Over the past five years, developers have focused on incremental improvements, with drag reduction refined in steps as small as 0.1 per cent.

The result is impressive acceleration: the CR450 can reach 350 km/h from a standstill in just 4 minutes and 40 seconds — 100 seconds faster than the current Fuxing EMUs.

Pioneering transport goals

The CR450 project, launched in 2021, forms a key part of China’s broader goal to advance efficient passenger and cargo transport.

The country already operates the world’s largest high-speed rail and expressway networks, integrated into a transport infrastructure exceeding 6 million kilometres.

Since its unveiling, the CR450 prototype has set multiple world records, including a top test speed of 453 km/h and a relative passing speed of 896 km/h, reaffirming China’s global leadership in high-speed rail technology.