New speed record for production cars
The YangWang brand from BYD has set a new speed record for production cars, surpassing European manufacturers. After the YangWang U9 Track Edition set the record for electric vehicles, the model was renamed to the U9 Xtreme and returned to the track, where it reached an incredible 308.4 mph or 496.22 km/h.
Record-setting conditions
The maximum speed was achieved on the high-speed oval at ATP Papenburg in Germany, with Marc Basseng behind the wheel. It is important to note that the record was set in only one direction, so technically the two-way average of the SSC Tuatara of 282.9 mph (455.3 km/h) still holds the title for now.
However, by reaching 308.4 mph, YangWang surpassed the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, which in 2019 with Andy Wallace at the wheel achieved 304.77 mph (490.48 km/h), also in one direction.
Technical features of the U9 Xtreme
High power is one of the key reasons for the U9 Xtreme’s impressive speed. The car is equipped with four electric motors that together produce 2,978 hp, which is more than double the output of the standard U9’s 1,288 hp. It is also the first production car with a 1,200-volt platform and significantly denser batteries compared to other BYD models.
Limited series and speed demonstration
Production of the U9 Xtreme will be limited to only 30 units. Although the price has not been announced, we doubt BYD will have any problems selling them. In-car video demonstrates the electric hypercar accelerating to its record speed. Basseng was moving along the banked curve of the oval at over 186 mph (300 km/h) before flooring the accelerator and accelerating at an incredible rate. The car easily passed the 280 mph (450 km/h) and 292 mph (470 km/h) marks, and reaching 308 mph (496 km/h) seemed easy for it.
It seemed the car could have exceeded 310.6 mph (500 km/h), but Basseng had to lift off the accelerator and brake as the car began to drift towards the left barrier wall near the track.
Achievement at the Nürburgring
Speed is not the only impressive achievement of the YangWang U9 Xtreme. BYD also confirmed that the car lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 6:59.157, taking the record from the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra electric car, which earlier this year posted a time of 7:04.957.
This success of the YangWang U9 Xtreme not only demonstrates BYD’s technological prowess but also changes perceptions about the capabilities of electric vehicles in high-speed disciplines. The growing competition between manufacturers promises even more innovation and records in the future, making the automotive industry even more dynamic.