The BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme, formerly known as the Track Edition, has become the fastest production car in the world. The electric hypercar reached an astonishing 308.4 miles per hour (472,41 km/h) at Germany’s ATP Papenburg high-speed oval, breaking not only the electric car record but surpassing every road-legal rival, petrol or electric.
The achievement dethrones the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, which managed 304.8 mph in 2019. In doing so, it also left behind the Aspark Owl at 272.6 mph and the Rimac Nevera R at 268.2 mph. Driven once again by German race driver Marc Basseng, who had previously reached 233 mph in the standard U9, the record run places him firmly among the rare drivers who have joined the 300 mph club.
The Yangwang U9 Xtreme is powered by four electric motors producing a staggering 2,978 horsepower, more than double that of the standard model. These motors use the world’s thinnest mass-produced super-silicon steel at just 0.1 millimetres, each capable of spinning at 30,000 rpm. It also debuts the first production 1,200-volt platform, an upgrade from the U9’s 800-volt system, delivering faster power surges to the motors while cutting heat generation by 67 percent at comparable outputs.
BYD’s Blade Battery technology adds further innovation, increasing cell density by 170 per cent and enabling discharge rates ten times higher than those of conventional EV batteries. This ensures stability at extreme speeds and current levels, preventing catastrophic overheating.
The design tweaks include smaller 20-inch wheels, wider front tires matching the 325mm rears, and a slightly narrower track. Despite housing massive batteries, the U9 Xtreme weighs just 2,480 kilograms, only marginally heavier than the regular model.
Production will be limited to just 30 units worldwide, each expected to cost significantly more than the base U9 model. With its record-breaking performance and groundbreaking engineering, the U9 Xtreme sets a new benchmark for both speed and electric vehicle technology.
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