The fastest gets faster: YANGWANG U9 Xtreme tops 500km/h to set new global speed record in Abu Dhabi

YANGWANG, the luxury brand of the world's largest manufacturer of new-energy vehicles (NEVs), BYD, has conquered its own global speed record and taken automotive technology into a new realm altogether by surpassing 500km/h with its U9 Xtreme hypercar.

The new highest speed achieved by the U9 Xtreme, 503.17km/h (312.65mph), surpasses last year’s benchmark of 496.22 km/h (308.33mph), and secures four Guinness World Records for the 3019PS vehicle and its Giti tyres: Fastest Production Car (including EV and ICE), Fastest Electric Production Car, Fastest EV Tyre in the World and Fastest Road Car Tyre in the World. The speed has also been duly recognised by the FIA, the governing body of world motorsport.

The record-breaking run took place on Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed International Road (E11), in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Region, on 1 November 2026. Marc Basseng, the sports-car and endurance racer who guided the U9X to its previous production-car record at ATP Papenburg last September, was again behind the wheel. The attempt at this location underscores Abu Dhabi’s capacity to host landmark automotive achievements, supported by advanced infrastructure and close coordination with local authorities.

This new threshold is one that has been pursued by the automotive industry for a century, but which has proven impossible to overcome using conventional combustion powertrains. By harnessing the power of BYD's all-electric motor and battery technologies, the YANGWANG engineers have been able to take production cars into the '500+' era in just three years since the start of the U9 project.

Stella Li, BYD Executive Vice-president, said: "I always tell people that our engineers are young, bold and maybe a little crazy – but in a good way! And again, we must congratulate them and the whole YANGWANG U9X team for an incredible next step and these astonishing records. Even as the team celebrated the astonishing 496.22km/h (308.22mph) in Germany last year, they were looking through the data and discussing how to take U9X to its next level. 503.17km/h (312.65mph) is a fantastic achievement, and it moves the benchmark for pure electric power even further ahead of where others might dream."

The U9X's record-breaking driver Marc Basseng said: "This time, we took on an entirely different challenge — pushing the limits of speed on a public road in Abu Dhabi. Unlike a dedicated test track, a public road presents a different set of challenges, making precision, stability and confidence in the vehicle more important than ever. Breaking a world record once is extraordinary but doing it again in such a different environment is truly special. At these extreme speeds every detail matters, and none of this would have been possible without the incredible YANGWANG engineering team. I am proud to be part of this journey and to demonstrate just how far electric vehicle technology can go."

Three years of determination and innovation: the path to 503.17km/h
The timeline leading to the U9X's greatest achievement has been short in automotive industry terms, but not without challenges. The regular U9 hypercar set its first benchmark back in January 2024, reaching 309km/h (192mph) at Wuhan Hannan Airport in China, and by October the same year it reached 391.94km/h at ATP Papenburg proving ground in Germany.

The U9X made its first appearance at the same facility in August 2025, reaching a top speed of 472.41km/h (293.54mph), before returning a month later to set a new world production-car speed record of 496.22km/h (308.33mph).

The record was set over two days of running, with full cooperation of the local authorities. In total, 10km of road was available for closure, and the longest straight available for top-speed runs was seven kilometres. Due to the proximity of the desert and regular use by everyday traffic, the road required sweeping prior to the U9X's high-speed runs – but even then, every metre of the route required further examination to collect any rogue wire particles from cleaning brushes that might cause an issue for Marc, the U9X or its Giti tyres.

Two runs were completed on the 31 October, with a maximum speed of 490km/h (304mph). The YANGWANG engineers then worked overnight to optimise the preparation procedures, ensuring that battery and motor temperatures were ideal at the beginning of each run the following day. They also adjusted the U9X's rear-wing angle to increase rear-axle downforce, reprofiled the suspension software to increase rebound damping in response to subtle undulations in parts of the road, and fine-tuned the tyre pressures for even better high-speed stability.

Two further runs were completed on 1 November. The first pass confirmed that gains had been made in suspension, aerodynamics and tyre performance, and the second attempt yielded the new record speed of 503.17km/h (312.65mph).

The organisation of the event in Abu Dhabi puts the region's wider ambitions in view, including development opportunities around Tilal Sweihan in Al Ain Region and across Al Dhafra Region.

The latest achievement builds on the U9X's existing record time around the Nordschleife in Germany. Its 6m 59.157s benchmark at the legendary circuit is the lap record for production electric vehicles, yet it was achieved with the same specification of car that also set the outright top-speed record – proving the U9X's all-round abilities as a dream hypercar.

Technical innovation at its core: the evolution of YANGWANG U9 to U9 XTREME
On paper, adding power is the most obvious way to enhance performance and raise the top speed of a vehicle – but improving on the 1287PS of the standard YANGWANG U9 is not a routine process. In the case of the U9 Xtreme, engineers enhanced the motor specs at each corner of the vehicle to allow speeds of up to 30,000rpm (one of the car’s many world firsts) and increase the output to 755PS (555kW).

The techniques employed to achieve this include the use of the world’s thinnest super-silicon steel in mass production (0.1mm) on the stator, the key static component of any electric motor, 970MPa ultra-high-strength silicon steel in the rotor, and aerospace-grade aluminium in the motor housing.

The benchmark combined output of the four motors is over 3000PS, more than double that of the existing U9 and a quantum leap for automobiles. This takes the power-to-weight ratio of the U9 Xtreme to an astonishing 1217PS per tonne.

Beyond the raw power figures, the U9X's e4 Platform's quad-motor independent torque-vectoring system continuously monitors road feedback, adjusting each wheel’s torque at an ultra-high frequency that exceeds 100 times per second. Even at high speeds, it maintains absolute control over body posture, ensuring no wheel slip or loss of traction.

The power and thermal-management requirements of the U9 Xtreme’s motors demanded innovations in the vehicle-electrics architecture. The U9 Xtreme is the first production model with a 1200V ultra-high-speed platform, up from the 800V of the existing U9. And the system can support up to 1000A of current, improving efficiency and thermal management.

The U9X retains the core Blade Battery technology that has been at the heart of every BYD for more than four years, including a strong, space-efficient layout and ultra-safe lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry. LFP is inherently more able to deliver stable power outputs across a wider SOC (stage of charge) range than rival chemistries such as NMC (nickel manganese cobalt). And when mixed with the 1200V platform, the Blade Battery reaches new levels of discharge capability, thermal performance and regeneration rates.

Single-cell power density is increased by 170% compared with an 800V system, allowing discharge rates of 30C. This is up to 10 times the rate of a conventional EV battery, and twice that of other electric supercars, in effect raising the ceiling for the entire industry. In theory 30C means the battery can be discharged completely in just two minutes; in more practical terms it demonstrates that it can sustain extremely high current outputs without overheating or severe degradation.

Even at 20% SOC, the U9 Xtreme’s Blade Battery can still support 1800kW of power output, while its peak energy-recuperation rate is more than 700kW, helping to reduce load and stresses in the mechanical brakes, ensuring more consistent stopping power under track conditions. The 1200V platform plays an important role in heat management too, reducing heat generation by up to 67% compared with an 800V system at a matching power output.

The DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System in the U9 Xtreme is based on dual-valve electronic dampers with a bandwidth exceeding 12kN, and it can deliver up to 50kN of active force within just 120 milliseconds.

These technical specifications allow DiSus-X to make rapid, independent vertical adjustments to the suspension at each corner of the vehicle. This not only suppresses pitch and dive during hard acceleration and braking but can also allow the U9X to corner at high speeds with zero roll or even negative roll – in effect leaning into the corner, like a motorcycle, at up to 2.43° at 0.3g.

These qualities enhance driver comfort and confidence — but they can also actively optimise the contact patch between the tyres and the road, maximising grip. Working in synergy with the e4 Platform at the heart of the U9X, DiSus-X delivers dual guarantees for vehicle stability and driving safety. 

To enhance tyre performance and durability under extreme driving conditions, YANGWANG, building on data gleaned during extensive testing and achievements in Germany in 2024, has engaged in a collaboration with Giti Tire to develop a track-focused semi-slick tyre.

This high-performance tyre features optimised compound materials and a bespoke tread design, while an innovative knurling treatment at the wheel-rim interface, combined with high-viscosity lubricant, minimises relative slippage between the tyre and the rim during hard acceleration or braking. This reduces torque loss and tyre wear, while improving predictability and stability during extreme speeds and under higher lateral g in fast corners. 

First U9 Xtreme customers moving towards production scheduling

The first YANGWANG U9 Xtreme built to production standards, named 'Dawn Moment', was unveiled at this year's Beijing Auto Show. Its body finish incorporates ultra-fine, micron-scale gold powder, sealed beneath multiple layers of clear coat. Under changing light, this finish recreates the shifting colours of morning sunlight passing through clouds, while the matte-gold sections use an innovative application of polishing techniques from traditional Chinese lacquer work.

Every YANGWANG U9X is a unique work of art that embodies the development team's highest ambitions for the ultimate dream car, along with the personal input and aesthetic tastes of the customer. The U9X is limited to just 30 units worldwide, and some customers have already approved their bespoke specifications and are moving into contract signing and production scheduling.