BYD’s luxury brand Yangwang has set a new global speed record with the U9 Xtreme, reaching 503.17km/h in Abu Dhabi. The achievement makes it the world’s fastest production car in a single-direction run and the fastest electric production car in the same category, earning two Guinness World Records.
The record-breaking run took place on Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed International Road in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Region on November 1, 2026. Racing driver Marc Basseng was behind the wheel, surpassing the previous record of 496.22km/h set by the same car in Germany last year. The new record has also been recognised by the FIA.
Over 2958hp from Four Electric Motors
The U9 Xtreme uses a quad-motor setup producing a combined output of over 2958hp, with each motor capable of reaching 30,000rpm. Its power-to-weight ratio stands at 1200hp per tonne.
Key technical highlights include:
- 1200V electrical architecture
- BYD Blade Battery with LFP chemistry
- Up to 1,000A current support
- Independent torque vectoring through the e4 platform
- DiSus-X intelligent body control system
The DiSus-X system uses electronically controlled dampers to manage body movement and maintain stability during high-speed driving. The car can also adjust its suspension independently at each corner.
Built for Extreme Performance
Yangwang has worked with Giti Tire to develop bespoke semi-slick tyres for the U9 Xtreme. The car also gets a track-focused setup designed to improve grip and stability at extreme speeds.
The U9 Xtreme has previously recorded a 6-minute 59.157-second lap at Germany’s Nurburgring Nordschleife, setting a production electric vehicle lap record.
Limited to 30 Units
The production-specification U9 Xtreme was showcased at the Beijing Auto Show. Yangwang will produce just 30 units globally, with some customers already moving towards final specifications and production scheduling.
Final Take
Crossing the 500km/h barrier marks a major milestone for electric performance cars. With over 2,958hp, a 1,200V platform, and advanced chassis technology, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme demonstrates how far electric hypercar engineering has progressed.
