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BYD stuns the auto world with a new top-speed record
BYD arrived at the 2025 Guangzhou Auto Show determined to be noticed — and the YANGWANG U9 Xtreme did exactly that. This limited-run electric hypercar has claimed the title of fastest production car, hitting an official top speed of 496.22 km/h (308 mph). For a company best known for mainstream EVs, the U9 Xtreme is a stark statement of intent.
Raw performance and headline numbers
Underneath its radical bodywork the U9 Xtreme uses a four-motor powertrain producing nearly 3,000 hp, pushing the machine to its record-breaking velocity. BYD also reported a Nürburgring lap time of 6:59.157 — a time that suddenly puts the brand into conversations normally reserved for European hypercars.
Tech and drivetrain
The U9 Xtreme is built around a heavily revised e⁴ all-wheel-drive architecture, upgraded DiSus-X body control, and bespoke aerodynamic systems. Each wheel is driven independently, allowing the car to balance monumental torque and maintain stability at extreme speeds. At the heart of the package is BYD’s new 30C Blade Battery, developed to tolerate extreme discharge rates with a dual-layer cooling system and low-resistance cells tailored for high-power output.
Design and stopping power
Exterior elements are functional as well as dramatic: oversized rear wings, a vented bonnet, and an enormous diffuser are all carbon-fiber components engineered to generate downforce while slicing drag. Braking duties fall to titanium-alloy calipers and a bespoke carbon-ceramic rotor set, built to cope with repeated deceleration from very high speeds.
Highlights:
- Top speed: 496.22 km/h (308 mph)
- Motive system: Four electric motors, ~3,000 hp combined
- Battery: 30C Blade Battery with dual-layer cooling
- Tires: GitiSport e·GTR2 PRO semi-slicks rated to 500 km/h
- Production: Limited to 30 units
Where it sits in the market
With only 30 examples to be made, the U9 Xtreme is immediately a collectible. BYD expects pricing to be well below the typical seven-figure hypercar threshold, which could disrupt expectations about value in the high-performance EV segment. Whether buyers prize outright top speed, Nürburgring credentials, or the novelty of a high-performance BYD, the U9 Xtreme marks a notable shift: the manufacturer is moving from mass-market EVs into the rarefied world of hypercars.
A surprising entrant on the global stage, the YANGWANG U9 Xtreme proves BYD can translate battery and software expertise into extreme automotive performance — and it may change how enthusiasts view electric speedsters going forward.
Source: gizmochina
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