Testing track in Papenburg, Germany. This electric hypercar, a creation of Chinese automaker BYD’s luxury sub-brand Yangwang, bested the previous record-holder—the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+—by nearly 3.6 mph, redefining the limits of production car speed worldwide.
Earlier this year, the U9 Track/Special Edition grabbed headlines with a record-breaking 292 mph run, but the upgraded U9 Xtreme has taken things to another level. Key enhancements include an advanced 1,200-volt electrical system—a first in production vehicles—feeding four ultra-high-speed electric motors capable of spinning up to 30,000 rpm and generating a combined output of nearly 3,000 horsepower. Power delivery is paired with BYD’s lithium iron phosphate Blade Battery, known for its exceptional discharge rate, supporting this beastly performance.
Specialized semi-slick tires and a refined DiSus-X suspension system ensure stability at these extreme speeds, maintaining grip and control as the car pushes past the 300-mph barrier. Despite its extreme capabilities, the U9 Xtreme weighs in at just 2,480 kg—only marginally heavier than its standard counterpart.
German test driver Marc Basseng, who piloted the U9 Xtreme during this speed record attempt, praised the electric powertrain’s smoothness and silence, saying it allowed him to focus entirely on the demanding run. Basseng’s feat adds him to a select group of drivers capable of safely taming hypercars at era-defining velocities.
Yangwang plans a very limited production run of just 30 units for the U9 Xtreme, with a price tag expected to exceed $270,000—making it a rare and exclusive offering in the high-performance electric vehicle market.
While rivals like the combustion-engine Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut claim theoretical speeds reaching 310 mph, the U9 Xtreme’s official and certified top speed sets a new benchmark for electric and overall production cars. With ongoing advancements in battery chemistry, motor technology, and aerodynamics, it’s clear the electric hypercar revolution is accelerating at an unprecedented pace.
The Yangwang U9 Xtreme not only stands as a symbol of China’s breaking into the ultra-exclusive hypercar market but also represents a new era where electric drivetrains dominate ultimate speed records, posing fundamental questions about the future of automotive performance and sustainability.
This historic achievement is a thrilling milestone that solidifies the electric hypercar’s place at the pinnacle of speed, power, and innovation in the 21st century.