China’s BYD has officially entered the hypercar hall of fame with its all-electric Yangwang U9 Xtreme EV, which has claimed the title of the world’s fastest production car. In a record-breaking run at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg track in Germany, the U9 Xtreme hit a verified top speed of 496.22 km/h (308.33 mph), dethroning the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ and its long-standing record of 490.4 km/h.
The monumental achievement, driven by German test driver Marc Basseng, is a testament to the breathtaking pace of innovation in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. The U9 Xtreme is a track-focused variant of BYD’s luxury Yangwang U9 hypercar, and only 30 units of this exclusive model will be produced.
The U9 Xtreme is an engineering marvel, equipped with groundbreaking technology that pushes the boundaries of EV performance. Key features include:
- Quad-Motor Powertrain: The car is powered by four electric motors, each generating 757 hp, for a combined total output of a staggering 3,027 horsepower. This is more than double the power of the standard U9 model.
- 1,200-Volt Electrical System: The U9 Xtreme is the first production car to feature a 1,200-volt platform, a system that provides 170% more power density than today’s advanced 800-volt systems. This ultra-high-voltage system dramatically reduces heat generation and allows for unmatched regenerative braking.
- DiSus-X Suspension: BYD’s advanced active body control system scans the road surface 100 times per second, adjusting torque distribution and stiffness at each wheel to ensure the car stays flat during high-speed cornering and braking.
- Carbon Fiber Monocoque: The car’s lightweight yet incredibly strong chassis is made from aerospace-grade carbon fiber, with a density five to six times stronger than steel.
While the record was set in a one-way run and therefore doesn’t qualify as an “official” two-way average for Guinness World Records, it unofficially surpasses the Bugatti’s record and solidifies the U9 Xtreme’s place in history. The car’s astonishing speed, coupled with its Nürburgring lap record of 6:59.157, has sent a powerful message to the global automotive industry: the future of hypercars is electric, and it’s coming from China.
