Reported by 2 outlets
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BYD's Yangwang U9 Xtreme reached 503.17 km/h (312.66 mph) on November 1, becoming the first production vehicle to exceed 500 km/h. Racing driver Marc Basseng piloted the electric hypercar along a closed 10 km section of the E11 highway in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region, using a 7 km straight stretch. Both the FIA and Guinness World Records recognized the feat, which eclipsed BYD's earlier record of 496.22 km/h set in September 2025. [1][2]
The track-focused U9X utilizes a 1,200-volt architecture alongside a specialized BYD Blade battery using LFP cells. Four electric motors spin at up to 30,000 rpm and generate 555 kW each, delivering a combined output exceeding 3,000 PS (2,220 kW). The test car featured titanium-alloy carbon-ceramic brakes and bespoke semi-slick tires engineered with Giti Tire. However, the benchmark comes with notable caveats: Guinness recognized the achievement strictly as a single-direction run rather than the two-way average traditionally used to offset wind and elevation changes. [1][2]
Yangwang plans to build only 30 units of the hypercar, priced at around $3 million each, and the model is not slated for sale in the United States. The top-speed run easily outpaces rival electric models like the Rimac Nevera R, which peaked at 431.45 km/h. The record also serves as a technology showcase for BYD as it prepares to unveil its Altior ultraluxury sedan in Abu Dhabi. [1][2]
BYD’s Yangwang U9 Xtreme just reached 503.17 km/h (312.66 mph) on a closed highway in Abu Dhabi, making it the first production car ever to go faster than 500 km/h. The FIA and Guinness World Records both recognized the run. It’s the all-electric hypercar’s second top-speed record in just over a year, and the one it broke was its own.
via Electrek
Bugatti pushed the production car top speed to 490 km/h in 2019, a record that stood until 2025 when a little-known premium brand by BYD broke it. This time around, its U9 Xtreme became the first production car to go more than 500 km/h on the highway with the first 1200V platform.
via Notebookcheck