BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme EV Breaks World Production Car Speed Record at 496.22km/h

The BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme has smashed the global production car top-speed record, reaching an astonishing 496.22km/h at Germany’s ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg track on 14 September 2025. This achievement eclipses the previous record of 490.4 km/h set by the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, establishing the U9 Xtreme as the world’s fastest production vehicle. The feat marks a significant milestone for electric hypercars. Powered by an advanced 1200V electrical system, notably higher than the standard 800V systems in many electric vehicles, the U9 Xtreme benefits from BYD’s latest lithium iron phosphate Blade Battery with a 30C discharge rating. Its quartet of electric motors, each spinning up to 30,000rpm, combine to deliver over 2,959bhp. Specially engineered semi-slick tyres and the sophisticated DiSus-X suspension ensure exceptional stability during ultra-high-speed runs.

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Based on BYD’s Yangwang U9 model sold in China, this exclusive version is limited to just 30 units globally. Aerodynamic enhancements such as a prominent rear wing and aggressive front splitter boost downforce to maintain grip at extreme velocities. The car’s chassis incorporates pneumatic and air suspension technology fine-tuned for high-speed handling, enabling a Nürburgring lap time of 6 minutes 59 seconds, an impressive benchmark in its class.

German professional racer Marc Basseng piloted the record-breaking run, highlighting the electric powertrain’s smooth and uninterrupted acceleration compared to traditional combustion engines. The consistent power delivery allowed him to precisely focus on track conditions, with the attempt carefully staged by gradually warming the specially designed tyres before a full-throttle sprint.

With a power-to-weight ratio of 1,200bhp per tonne, substantially higher than the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+’s 897bhp per tonne, the U9 Xtreme also features an advanced torque vectoring system. This technology adjusts power to each wheel up to 100 times per second, maximising traction and stability.

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BYD’s luxury sub-brand has clearly emerged as a serious contender in the hypercar realm, showcasing how electric vehicles are redefining speed records and engineering excellence worldwide.