Yangwang U9 Xtreme: The First Production Car to Exceed 500 km/h
On November 1, 2026, German driver Mark Bassenh took the Yangwang U9 Xtreme to a speed of 503.17 km/h in front of FIA and Guinness World Records officials. This marks the first time a production car has surpassed the 500 km/h barrier.
The record run took place on a straight section of the E11 highway near Abu Dhabi, UAE. The road was cleared of sand and debris to minimize the risk of accidents. The car achieved a speed of 503.17 km/h, setting four world records: fastest production car, fastest electric vehicle, fastest tire for a car, and fastest tire for an electric vehicle.
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The electric supercar Yangwang U9, developed by the Chinese company BYD, has been on sale since 2024. The high-performance Xtreme version was released the following year. The standard U9 costs around 1.8 million yuan (approximately $300,000), while the upgraded version is 11 times more expensive.
The base model features four electric motors with a total output of 1288 hp, while the extreme version boasts 3019 hp. It operates with a 1200-volt battery compared to the standard 800-volt. Active electric hydraulic suspension ensures stability, and Giti has developed special semi-slick tires for record speeds.
A Risky Record
A recent incident with the BYD team highlights the risks involved: at speeds over 400 km/h, a car flipped over, losing all its wheels. Fortunately, the driver was unharmed. A side wind may have disrupted the car's stability.
Interestingly, in this record run, the supercar surpassed its own previous record set a year ago, when it reached 496.22 km/h at a test facility in Germany.
