BYD YANGWANG U9 Xtreme Sets 503.17 kph Production Record

BYD's YANGWANG U9 Xtreme reached 503.17 kph (312.65 mph) at Al Dhafra in Abu Dhabi, setting a new production-car top speed record.

The run earned four Guinness World Records, including fastest production car, fastest electric production car, and fastest road and EV tires for Giti.

The result surpasses last year’s record of 496.22 kph (308.33 mph).

The U9 Xtreme uses an uprated electric powertrain rated at 3,019 ps (2,978 hp). BYD lists the car at about $3 million.

Following a spectacular crash at more than 224 mph (360 kph), the U9 Xtreme was taken to Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Region for the record attempt.

Engineers adjusted the rear-wing angle to increase rear-axle downforce, updated suspension software to increase rebound damping, and fine-tuned tire pressures ahead of the run.

The U9 family built to the mark gradually: the regular U9 reached 309 kph (192 mph) at Wuhan Hannah airport in 2024, then 391.94 kph (243 mph) at ATP Papenburg.

At ATP Papenburg the U9 Xtreme first recorded 472.41 kph (293.54 mph) and later set the 496.22 kph (308.33 mph) world production-car speed record.

BYD executive vice president Stella Li said, "I always tell people that our engineers are young, bold and maybe a little crazy - but in a good way! And again, we must congratulate them and the whole YANGWANG U9X team for an incredible next step and these astonishing records."

Li added, "Even as the team celebrated the astonishing 496.22km/h (308.22mph) in Germany last year, they were looking through the data and discussing how to take U9X to its next level. 503.17km/h (312.65mph) is a fantastic achievement, and it moves the benchmark for pure electric power even further ahead of where others might dream."

BYD said it attributes the new record to the uprated powertrain combined with the aerodynamic and suspension changes made before the run.