BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme Becomes First Production Car to Exceed 500 Kph
The electric hypercar reached 503.17 kph in Abu Dhabi, setting a new Guinness World Record with a single-direction run.
BYD’s Yangwang U9 Xtreme has become the first production car in history to break the 500 kilometers per hour (310 miles per hour) barrier, reaching a top speed of 503.17 kph (310.7 mph).
What Happened
The record was set on November 1 on a roughly 10-kilometer stretch of the E11 road in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Region, which was closed to public traffic. German racing driver Marc Basseng, who also drove the previous record attempt, required four runs over two days to achieve the new mark. During the first two runs on October 31, the car reached 490 kph, prompting engineers to adjust the vehicle’s aerodynamics, suspension settings, and tire pressures for improved stability. The final run on November 1 was recorded by a Racelogic device and subsequently certified by both Guinness World Records and the FIA.
Why It Matters
This achievement cements the Yangwang U9 Xtreme’s status as the world’s fastest production car, surpassing its own previous record of 496.22 kph set in September 2025. The vehicle is limited to just 30 units and features four electric motors producing 2,977 horsepower, powered by a 1,200-volt lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack capable of a 30C discharge rate. Notably, the record was set in a single-direction run, a method that contrasts with the traditional two-run average used to account for wind and elevation. This approach could invite scrutiny or challenges from other high-performance manufacturers such as Rimac, Bugatti, and Koenigsegg, though the feat remains a significant milestone for electric vehicle performance.
The Bottom Line
The BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme has officially surpassed 500 kph, setting a new benchmark for electric hypercars and production vehicle speed limits.
