BYD’s all-electric hypercar, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme, is now the world’s fastest production car, having hit 308.4mph at ATP Papenburg’s high-speed oval circuit in Germany with German test driver Marc Basseng at the wheel.
The rapid U9 Xtreme unseats the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, which managed 304.8mph in 2019, the 272.6mph Aspark Owl, and the 268.2mph Rimac Nevera R.
“This record was only possible because the U9 Xtreme simply has incredible performance. Technically, something like this is not possible with a combustion engine. 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,” said Basseng.
In 2024, Bassang hit 233mph in a standard U9 hypercar, while a U9 Track Edition cracked 292mph this summer. However, the U9 Xtreme is an upgraded version of the base car and features a 1,200-volt electrical system instead of the standard 800-volt one, a first in any production car. Heat generation is also reduced by up to 67 per cent compared to the 800-volt platform.
Four electric motors, capable of operating at 30,000rpm, together produce 2,959bhp. Likewise, the car also utilized revised DiSus-X suspension and semi-slick tires during the run, which were optimized for exceeding 300mph. The Yangwang U9 Xtreme weighs 2,480kg (kerb), 5kg more than the regular car.
Unfortunately, you’ll need to get your order in quickly as only 30 will be sold and will likely cost upwards of $270,000.
The ball now sits with the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut, which is claimed to be capable of 310mph. The Absolut has an incredibly low 0.278 drag coefficient and is instead powered by a twin-turbocharged 5.1-liter V8 engine, producing 1,263bhp on standard fuel and 1,578bhp on E85 super juice. It also costs significantly more than the U9 Xtreme at £2.85m ($3.4m).
Both cars are incredibly fast, but as battery, motor, and aerodynamic technology advance, many are wondering if the U9 Xtreme could challenge the EV land speed record holder, the Buckeye Bullet 3, which smashed a 341.4mph record in 2016.
Look back on the week that was with hand-picked articles from Australia and around the world. Sign up to the Forbes Australia newsletter here or become a member here.
