The Yangwang U9 Xtreme is the world's fastest production vehicle, hitting a top speed of 496.22km/h. The electric hypercar set the record at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in Germany on 14 September 2025. This new benchmark beats both the previous electric vehicle record and the fastest petrol-powered production car, making the U9 Xtreme officially the quickest production car ever built.
What records did it break?
Before Yangwang's run, the fastest petrol-powered production car was the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, which, in 2019, achieved a top speed of 490.484km/h. Yangwang also set the previous fastest EV record: its U9 Track Edition smashed earlier records by hitting a top speed of 472.41km/h on 8 August 2025. Before that, the Rimac Nevera R held the record for the fastest EV, topping out at 431.45km/h.
What makes the U9 Xtreme different from the standard model?
The record-breaking model is based on the regular U9, already on sale in China, but includes several technical upgrades. The most significant changes include an ultra-high-voltage 1,200V electrical system, four electric motors with a combined output of over 3,000hp and a high-discharge-rate lithium-iron phosphate 'Blade' battery. It also uses track-focused semi-slick tyres and a specially tuned version of BYD's 'DiSus-X' suspension system.
Who was the record-breaking driver?
Marc Basseng, a seasoned endurance racer from Germany, was behind the wheel. He said the car's smooth and quiet electric drive made it easier to concentrate and perform at such high speeds. “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.”
BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li said: “This is an incredibly proud moment for everyone in the research and development division. Yangwang is a brand that does not recognise the impossible, and only through this commitment to what's coming next can you end up with a vehicle like the U9X. I extend my gratitude to the whole team, and my thanks to the driver, Marc Basseng, for his skill and technical input. It's terrific that the fastest production car in the world is now electric.”
How many Yangwang U9 Xtremes will be built?
The car, which was originally called the U9 Track/Special Edition, will be built in limited numbers. Just 30 examples are expected to roll off the production line.
Tell me a bit more about Yangwang
Yangwang is a premium sub-brand of BYD (Build Your Dreams), a Chinese multinational company that specialises in electric vehicles (EVs), batteries and renewable energy technology. It is one of the largest manufacturers of EVs in the world.
What's your take on all of this?
Hypercars aren't really relevant to everyday drivers, but they do push boundaries, and the headline-grabbing speed of the Yangwang U9 Xtreme is a major flex for BYD. What it really shows is just how far electric performance tech has come. Is it useful? Not really. Is it impressive? Absolutely. And for a Chinese brand to now hold the speed record with a road-legal EV shows just how much the market has shifted.