Image: from Legitimate Targets X @LegitTargets
By Liam Scott | Staff Writer with Agencies
In a groundbreaking moment for the automotive world, Chinese car giant BYD has unveiled the Yangwang U9 Xtreme (U9X) hypercar, officially becoming the world’s fastest production car—an electric one at that. This remarkable achievement sees the U9 Xtreme reach a jaw-dropping 308.4mph, surpassing the previous record held by the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ at 304.1mph.
The record-breaking speed was achieved on the high-speed Automotive Testing Papenburg (ATP) oval track in Germany, with renowned test driver Marc Basseng behind the wheel. The Yangwang U9X is an upgraded version of the U9 hypercar, which is already available in China, and it marks a new era for electric hypercars in terms of performance and speed.
Record-Breaking Speed and Power
The U9 Xtreme’s remarkable feat makes it clear that electric vehicles (EVs) are now stepping into the realm once dominated by high-performance combustion engine cars. Featuring a 1200V ultra-high voltage platform, the U9X boasts an optimized thermal management and cooling system, supporting an astounding 133% increase in power output. With four motors, each delivering 555kW, the U9 Xtreme generates a staggering 2958.96bhp.
The high-performance electric car uses BYD’s Blade Battery, the same battery that has propelled the company to the forefront of EV technology. With the U9X, BYD demonstrates its expertise in both performance and sustainability.
Chinese automaker BYD’s U9 Xtreme EV just hit a verified top speed of 496 km/h (308 mph) at Germany’s ATP proving grounds, making it the new fastest production car in the world, beating the Bugatti Chiron's 304.77 mph.
• 2,978 hp
• 80 kWh LFP battery
• 1,200v platform
• New… pic.twitter.com/JcP7yTyERJ— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) September 21, 2025
An Exclusive Hypercar
The U9 Xtreme isn’t just about speed; it’s also a rarity. With only 30 units to be produced worldwide, the U9X is expected to come with a premium price tag—likely higher than the standard U9, which costs around £200,000. Still, even at that premium price, the U9X remains a far more accessible option compared to the €3.5 million Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+.
The livestreamed event showcasing the U9 Xtreme’s speed in China emphasized the new standard in the world of sustainable hypercars. Yangwang heralded the U9X as “redefining the sustainable hypercar,” blending remarkable power and speed with zero emissions.
The Future of Electric Hypercars
Marc Basseng, a seasoned professional in sports-car racing and endurance motorsport, expressed his awe of the U9 Xtreme’s performance. He attributed the car’s success to the unique advantages of electric motors, such as quiet operation and the absence of load changes, allowing him to fully focus on performance on the track. “Technically, something like this is not possible with a combustion engine,” Basseng said, underscoring the potential of electric technology in racing.
The record, though impressive, was measured from the average of runs in both directions, and the U9 Xtreme reached its 308.4mph in a single direction. However, given that the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ also achieved its record in one direction, the two vehicles are essentially on equal footing in terms of their remarkable performances.
A Monumental Achievement
Last year, Basseng set a personal best of 233mph in the standard U9. In just a year, he became one of the few people to break into the exclusive 300mph club with the U9 Xtreme version, cementing the vehicle’s status as a monumental achievement in automotive engineering.
While the possibility of even faster electric hypercars emerging from this new era is still unknown, the U9 Xtreme’s performance has already placed it at the pinnacle of automotive technology. With this achievement, BYD and the Yangwang brand are poised to lead the charge in pushing the boundaries of electric performance, making the U9 Xtreme the fastest car on the planet—for now.
As the future unfolds, the U9 Xtreme’s record-breaking performance may set the stage for a new wave of electric hypercars redefining what is possible in the world of speed and power.