► Yangwang U9 is an electric hypercar
► Xtreme edition produces 2959bhp
► Now officially the world’s fastest production car
As of 20 September 2025, you’re now looking at the world’s fastest production car. The Yangwang U9 – a mighty monster of an EV from parent company BYD has overtaken the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ to become the fastest production car in the world.
On test runs, the new Yangwang U9 Xtreme variant – the now-record-holding flagship version – clocked a top speed of 308.4mph. Driver Marc Basseng managed the new highest speed, after he already set the highest top speed for an EV in the same car towards the end of August 2025. ‘Technically, something like this is not possible with a combustion engine,’ says Basseng. ‘Thanks to the electric motor, the car is quiet, there are no load changes, and that allows me to focus even more on the track.’
But then, it does boast a ludicrous 2,959bhp, semi-slicks and aggressive aero.
The U9 is a pure-electric supercar, and a far sleeker offering than the Yangwang U8 we drove at Goodwood in 2024. The big Defender-like electric 4×4 features a mere 1,282bhp and has to make to do with topping-out at 192mph.
But back to the supercar, and its power comes courtesy of Yangwang’s e4 quad-motor electric drive system – which means each wheel gets its own power unit. Yangwang promises this allows for precise torque vectoring on all four corners, and claims the U9 delivers ‘the ultimate in safety, performance and experience’.
We’ll have to take its word for some of that for now, but the performance part is pretty clear. It devoured the standard quarter mile sprint in 9.78 seconds, and 0-62mph takes just 2.36 seconds.
Energy is stored in 80kWh BYD Blade batteries, which doesn’t sound like much capacity to us, given the potency. However, the U9 also has an 800V dual charging system that can charge at up to 500kW. That’s quite a bit more than even a Porsche Taycan.
Yes, the U9 features fully active suspension, which BYD call the DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System. Rather than just softening or stiffening the suspension it can also adjust vertically by 75mm.
Able to exert extensive control over each wheel, the system will not only counteract pitch, roll and squat, it can also be made to dance around (to music, if you like) and even jump over potholes.
Another highlight is the U9’s carbonfibre-heavy hybrid safety cell which has a Carbon Tube Body structure that delivers exceptional torsional stiffness, even on its roof.
It’s business up front and party at the back. At the front, it has typical supercar characteristics in the form of mad scissor doors, low aggressive stance and slim led headlights. But much like a mullet, the rear is the most striking.
A huge rear wing is teamed with a deep, intricate diffuser and extensive carbonfibre detailing. Twelve aero elements, some of them active, are designed to cut drag and manage heat dissipation from the battery.
Inside, the cockpit blends leather and Alcantara, accented by ambient lighting strips that divide the passenger areas. A long vertical touchscreen runs down the middle, complemented by a few tactile buttons and a rotary dial – a very welcome mix of digital and physical controls.
Now for the hardcore version, simply named the U9 Xtreme. The major difference here is the immense increase in power, with each of the four motors now delivering 744bhp at every wheel, pushing total output up by 1,677bhp to a colossal 2,959bhp.
Furthermore, the track variant gets semi-slick Giti tyres, which reduce torque loss and wear, along with a carbon fibre front splitter for enhanced aero. The rear wing is removed to enable its record-breaking top speed.
As for the record attempt, it marked another milestone for Marc Basseng, who previously set the unofficial global EV speed record in 2024 in an Aspark Owl SP600. After his record-breaking EV top speed run in the U9 Xtreme, he said, ‘Last year, I thought I’d peaked. I never expected to break my own record so soon — but here we are, at the same track, with new technologies that have made it possible.’
Amrit Kaur is a staff writer on the Bauer Media Digital Automotive Hub, writing for both CAR and sister site Parkers. After graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and spending eight years teaching, she decided to pursue what she always wanted to, and become a motoring journalist. After studying a Master’s in Automotive Journalism she landed her first job with Bauer.
With contributions from
Jake Groves News Editor
By Amrit Kaur and Jake Groves
