BYD's Yangwang U9 Xtreme targets 500 km/h record

Vice‑president Stella Li of Chinese automaker BYD announced at the Goodwood Festival of Speed that the Yangwang U9 Xtreme will make a second high‑speed run in November, aiming to exceed 500 km/h. The hyper‑electric sports car previously set a world‑record top speed of 496.22 km/h in September 2024 on the 12.3‑km ATP (Automotive Testing Papenburg) oval in Germany, beating the former 490.5 km/h mark held by the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+.

The U9 Xtreme is powered by BYD’s four‑motor e4 platform delivering 2,220 kW (2,977 hp) and a power‑to‑weight ratio of 1,200 hp per tonne. Aerodynamic upgrades include a large carbon front splitter, rear diffuser, dual‑channel engine cover and a high rear spoiler. Test driver Marc Basseng reported that after reaching the previous record he still had about 1.5 seconds of full‑throttle acceleration left, suggesting untapped potential for a 500 km/h run under optimal track conditions.