3 Minutes
Yangwang’s electric hypercar sets a new production speed record
BYD's Yangwang sub-brand has pushed production car speed limits into electric territory. The special-edition U9 Xtreme accelerated to a verified 308.4 mph (about 496 km/h) at the Automotive Testing Papenburg (ATP) high-speed oval in Germany, surpassing the previous production-car benchmark. The run was carried out with experienced German test driver Marc Basseng at the wheel.
Basseng highlighted the strengths of electric propulsion for sustained top-speed runs: quiet operation, steady torque delivery and the absence of combustion-engine load shifts, all of which helped him concentrate on the task of taming speeds above 300 mph.
What makes the U9 Xtreme so fast?
The U9 Xtreme is an intensified version of the U9 hypercar sold in China. Key technical upgrades allow it to operate at extreme velocity:
- 1,200-volt electrical architecture — the first production car to adopt this higher-voltage system, replacing the common 800V layout.
- BYD’s lithium iron phosphate 'blade' battery packaged for high-current delivery and thermal stability.
- Four high-revving electric motors rated to around 30,000 rpm, producing a combined output near 2,959 bhp (3,000 PS).
- Track-optimised DiSus-X suspension and semi‑slick tyres tuned specifically for sustained top-speed stability.
- Kerb weight: approximately 2,480 kg — hefty, but engineered to remain stable at extreme speed.
Limited production and market positioning
Yangwang intends to build no more than 30 examples of the Xtreme edition, positioning the model as an ultra-exclusive halo car. Beyond the headline-making top speed, the limited run helps the brand showcase advanced EV engineering and test the boundaries of what electric drivetrains can achieve against traditional petrol hypercars.
Context and comparisons
This is the first time an electric production car has claimed the fastest production-car crown — previously held at 304.48 mph by the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+. The U9 Xtreme succeeds a U9 Track Edition that reached 292 mph earlier this year and cements Yangwang's rapid development curve.
Industry watchers are already looking to rivals. Koenigsegg's Jesko Absolut, claimed capable of around 310 mph, is an obvious contender, while the EV land-speed benchmark — the Buckeye Bullet 3's 341.264 mph — remains a different category and a much higher target.
Highlights
- Record: 308.4 mph (≈496 km/h) at ATP Papenburg
- Powertrain: 4 motors, ~2,959 bhp (3,000 PS)
- Voltage: 1,200 V system, LFP blade battery
- Production: limited to about 30 units
The U9 Xtreme's run is more than a headline figure; it signals a shift in high-performance engineering where electric platforms are not only competitive but capable of rewriting the speed record books. For buyers and enthusiasts, the development raises new questions about performance, aerodynamics, tyre technology and how manufacturers will balance outright speed with drivability and safety in future hypercars.
Source: autoexpress.co
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