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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [TECHNOLOGY]

5 clusters · 130 sources · 9 days · First seen · Last updated

BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme speed record and crash

Overview

BYD planned a high speed attempt to push its Yangwang U9 Xtreme electric hypercar past the 500 km/h milestone. Executive Vice President Stella Li identified Dubai as a potential location for the test, tentatively planned for November 2026. The manufacturer sought a straight stretch of road approximately 15 kilometers in length to coordinate with local authorities for safety measures. The company aimed to build upon a September 2025 achievement in Germany, where the vehicle reached 496.22 km/h at the ATP Papenburg oval, overtaking the top speed previously held by the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+.

On November 1, 2026, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme successfully set a new world speed record in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Driving on a closed section of the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed International Road in the Al Dhafra region, driver Marc Basseng reached a top speed of 503.17 km/h. This achievement, officially recognized by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), makes the vehicle the first production car to surpass the 500 km/h barrier. It secured two Guinness World Records: the fastest production car and the fastest electric production car in a single-direction run. To achieve this milestone, engineers implemented adjustments to the vehicle’s aerodynamics, damping, and tire pressures following earlier attempts that reached 490 km/h. The U9 Xtreme utilizes a 1,200-volt architecture and four electric motors producing a combined output of over 3,000 PS.

On November 2, 2026, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme was involved in a severe crash during a high speed run in China. Footage showed the vehicle veering off its line and striking a track barrier. The impact caused the rear axle assembly to detach and heavily damaged the bodywork, though the carbon-fiber passenger cell remained intact. The driver, Jiang Wen, reportedly escaped uninjured.

Entities

Yangwang U9 Xtreme · BYD · Stella Li · Yangwang · Marc Basseng

Timeline

  1. [TECHNOLOGY] 100 sources
    BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme sets world speed record in Abu Dhabi

    BYD’s Yangwang U9 Xtreme electric hypercar set a world speed record of 503.17 km/h in Abu Dhabi, becoming the first production car to break the 500 km/h barrier.

  2. [TECHNOLOGY] 15 sources
    BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme sets world speed record at 503.17 km/h

    BYD's Yangwang U9 Xtreme became the first production car to exceed 500 km/h, reaching 503.17 km/h in Abu Dhabi after surviving a high-speed testing accident.

  3. [BUSINESS] 16 sources
    BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme hypercar crashes during high-speed testing

    A BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme electric hypercar crashed during high-speed testing in China. The driver escaped uninjured despite the vehicle sustaining heavy damage, including a detached rear axle.

  4. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    BYD aims to break 500 km/h speed record with Yangwang U9 Xtreme in Dubai

    BYD plans to attempt a 500 km/h speed record with its Yangwang U9 Xtreme electric supercar in Dubai this November.

  5. [TECHNOLOGY] 7 sources
    BYD plans 500 km/h speed attempt for Yangwang U9 Xtreme in Dubai

    BYD aims to break the 500 km/h barrier with its Yangwang U9 Xtreme electric hypercar during a planned attempt in Dubai in November 2026.

Sources

24-ore.com · 24auto.ro · alvolante.it · alwatan.ae · ar.motor1.com · auto-mag.fr · autodevot.com · autoesporte.globo.com · autogaleria.pl · autoherald.co.kr · autojournal.fr · automagazin.sk · automania.hr · automobile-propre.com · automotiveaddicts.com · autopro.com.vn · autoprove.it · autotrader.co.nz · autotypos.gr · avto-magazin.metropolitan.si · avtomanija.com · barnfinds.com · bigportal.ba · brasil.perfil.com · brasil247.com · brasilemfolhas.com.br · bug.hr · cafebiz.vn · cafef.vn · canaltech.com.br · car250.com · caradisiac.com · carmag.co.za · carnews.com · carrobonito.com · carroscomcamanzi.com.br · cnn.gr · cochesyconcesionarios.com · connect.ro · conowego.pl · dailyguardian.ae · denar.mk · diariochilecito.com · diariodoestadogo.com.br · diginoy.com · digitaltrends.com · dk-online.de · dol.com.br

This summary has been updated 11 times: see revision history