Yangwang U9 Xtreme Hits 503 km/h for a Speed Record

BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme Becomes First Production Car Past 500 km/h

The Yangwang U9 Xtreme, the most extreme version of BYD's electric supercar, has reached 503.17 km/h (312.66 mph), making it the first production car to pass 500 km/h. German racing driver Marc Basseng set the speed on a closed section of the E11 highway in Abu Dhabi, and Guinness World Records ratified it, Carscoops reported on 6 November.

How the record was set

The successful run came at the end of a long day. BYD had exclusive use of a 10 km (6.2 mile) section of the E11, a public highway, but only 7 km (4.6 miles) of it was suitable for a top-speed attempt. Two earlier runs reached only about 490 km/h (304 mph). Engineers then adjusted the battery and motor temperatures, the angle of the rear spoiler, the suspension rebound damping and the tyre pressures before Basseng went out again and crossed the 500 km/h line. Yangwang also claimed records for the fastest electric production car and for the fastest EV tyre and road tyre, using semi-slick tyres from the Singapore-based maker Giti.

What makes the Xtreme different

The Xtreme is a far more powerful version of the U9 that Yangwang, BYD's luxury brand, already sells. It produces more than 2,207 kW (3,000 PS) from four electric motors, and its electrical system runs at 1,200 volts instead of the 800 volts of the standard car, with a custom version of BYD's Blade battery. Weight, production numbers and price have not been published.

How it compares

The U9 has now raised its own benchmark twice. In 2025 the standard car reached 496.22 km/h (308.3 mph), beating the 490.48 km/h (304.8 mph) of the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+. The fastest run on a public road before that was the 446.97 km/h (277.87 mph) set in 2017 by the Agera RS, a member of the Koenigsegg Agera family. The record programme was not trouble-free: video later emerged of a different U9 Xtreme crashing into the guardrails during a top-speed attempt in China. That car was destroyed down to its carbon monocoque, but the driver survived without major injuries. BYD has not said how fast it was going or what caused the crash.

What it means for buyers

For most people the record is a showcase rather than a purchase decision, but it moves the speed contest firmly into electric territory. It also tests the high-voltage and battery technology that BYD uses across its range, from the U9 down to models in the BYD catalogue. The fastest combustion and hybrid rivals are collected in the list of the most powerful supercars.