YANGWANG U9 Xtreme Sets New Global Speed Record at 496 km/h
YANGWANG, the premium sub-brand of BYD, has set a new world record for production-car top speed. On September 14, 2025, the brand’s U9 Xtreme (U9X) hypercar reached 496.22 km/h at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg track in Germany.
This achievement makes the U9X not only the fastest electric vehicle (EV) ever produced but also faster than the quickest petrol-powered production car, which previously recorded 490.484 km/h.
Technical Highlights of the U9 Xtreme
The U9X is based on the standard U9 model available in China but comes with advanced upgrades designed for extreme performance:
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1200V ultra-high-voltage system (an improvement over the 800V architecture)
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Blade Battery with a 30C discharge rate for high power delivery
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Four electric motors producing more than 3000PS, spinning at up to 30,000 rpm
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Track-level semi-slick tires for grip and stability
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Revised DiSus-X suspension, tuned specifically for high-speed runs
These innovations allow the U9X to deliver consistent all-electric performance while maintaining zero emissions.
The Record-Breaking Run
The hypercar was driven by Marc Basseng, a seasoned German racer with extensive motorsport experience. He highlighted the EV’s smooth and consistent power delivery, which allowed full concentration on track handling during the record attempt.
BYD’s Executive Vice President, Stella Li, congratulated the R&D team, emphasizing that the U9X demonstrates YANGWANG’s vision to push boundaries in modern automotive engineering.
Limited Production
The U9 Xtreme will be manufactured in a limited run of just 30 units, underscoring its exclusivity. The name “Xtreme” reflects the brand’s philosophy of exploring both extreme performance and the unknown frontiers of innovation.
