BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme Becomes World’s Fastest Production Car at 496.22 km/h

The era of combustion engine supremacy on the world’s fastest production car throne has ended. BYD’s luxury sub-brand Yangwang has firmly placed itself at the pinnacle of automotive performance with the Yangwang U9 Xtreme, officially clocking a top speed of 496.22 km/h (308 mph) on September 14, 2025, at Germany’s ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg track. This shatters the previous record held by the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ (490.4 km/h) and marks an unprecedented milestone for electric vehicles (EVs).

Design and Engineering: A Track Beast Built for the Road

• Based on the U9 technical architecture, the U9 Xtreme (U9X) elevates BYD’s existing platform with several advancements.
• Features include quad ultra-high-speed electric motors spinning up to 30,000 rpm, producing a total of over 3,000 PS (2,958 hp).
• Employs a 1200V ultra-high-voltage electrical system, a significant jump over the previous 800V standard, boosting power delivery and efficiency.
• Battery system utilizes BYD’s proprietary lithium iron phosphate Blade Battery capable of discharging at a remarkable 30C rate.
• Designed with track-level semi-slick tires for maximum grip and a DiSus-X suspension system specially tuned to withstand extreme speeds and track stresses.
• Measures 4.97 meters long and 2 meters wide, boasting an aerodynamic shape for stability at blistering speeds.

Top Speed Record and Track Performance

The Driver and The Moment

The record-breaking runs were piloted by professional German racing driver Marc Basseng, who officially bested the Bugatti Chiron’s 2019 peak speed. Remarkably, Basseng reached 300 mph on his first lap, 302 mph on the second, and the record-breaking 308.4 mph on the third.

Basseng praised the EV’s smooth, instant torque delivery and lack of load changes, highlighting how these characteristics gave him concentrated control at extreme speeds.

What This Means for the EV Market

• The Yangwang U9 Xtreme not only claims the fastest production car crown but also blazes beyond the Rimac Nevera’s 415 km/h, setting a new benchmark for electric hypercars.
• By firmly stating that sustainability and ultra-high performance can coexist, BYD pushes the narrative further that EVs are no longer just about efficiency but also about adrenaline-pumping excitement.
• Limited to only 30 units globally, the U9X is an exclusive hypercar destined for collectors and enthusiasts eager to own a piece of automotive history.

Beyond Speed: Electric Future Meets Luxury

• The U9 Xtreme brandishes state-of-the-art tech, including advanced battery thermal management and safety systems.
• The blazing performance is paired with modern luxury comforts consistent with Yangwang’s reputation for premium electric vehicles.
• Locally engineered and manufactured by BYD’s luxury arm, Yangwang, the U9X exemplifies cutting-edge Chinese automotive tech insurgency on a global scale.

Conclusion

The BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme is a monumental achievement in the automotive world. By eclipsing traditional petrol-powered hypercars and smashing speed records, it announces the electric era’s arrival for performance cars. Its blend of raw speed, advanced engineering, and exclusivity makes it not just the fastest car on the planet but a symbol of the future of mobility.