BYD’s YangWang U9 Extreme Becomes the World’s Fastest Production Car

Breaking the 300 mph Barrier

China’s BYD has officially set a new milestone in automotive history. Its YangWang U9 Extreme has claimed the title of the world’s fastest production car, reaching an astonishing 308.4 mph (496.2 kph) earlier this month at the ATP high-speed oval in Germany. This achievement surpasses the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, which had held the record since 2019 with a speed of 304.7 mph (490.5 kph).

More importantly, the U9 Extreme is the first production electric vehicle to ever exceed 300 mph, establishing a landmark moment not just for BYD, but for the entire EV industry.

Building on Earlier Success

This record did not come out of nowhere. Just last month, the YangWang U9 Track Edition hit 293.5 mph (472.4 kph) on the same German track, already outpacing the Rimac Nevera and becoming the fastest battery-powered vehicle at the time. But BYD’s engineers weren’t satisfied. The Extreme pushed beyond expectations, edging close to the symbolic 500 kph (310.6 mph) barrier.

Industry observers now wonder if BYD will attempt to break that psychological milestone in the near future, further solidifying its position as a global performance leader.

Dominating the Nürburgring

The YangWang U9 Extreme isn’t just about straight-line speed. It also delivered an impressive performance at the world’s most demanding race circuit, the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The car recorded a sub-seven-minute lap time, overtaking Xiaomi’s SU7 Ultra to become the fastest production EV on the track.

This balance of top speed and track performance shows that BYD’s engineering extends far beyond raw power. The U9 Extreme is proving itself as a well-rounded supercar, not just a high-speed record chaser.

Power and Technology Under the Hood

Only 30 units of the U9 Extreme will be produced, making it as exclusive as its European hypercar rivals. Based on the standard U9 platform, the Extreme is powered by a 1,200-volt quad-motor system delivering a breathtaking 2,977 horsepower (2,220 kW).

The car’s lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery can discharge at a rate of 30C, enabling extreme performance without compromising durability. Power is managed by a sophisticated torque vectoring system capable of adjusting distribution more than 100 times per second for each motor.

The U9 Extreme also features an adaptive suspension system that can literally jump over bumps, enhancing stability and control at ultra-high speeds.

Safety at Extreme Speeds

Handling speeds above 300 mph requires world-class braking and tire technology. BYD equipped the U9 Extreme with titanium calipers and carbon-ceramic rotors to ensure reliable stopping power. Supporting them are GitiSport e-GTR2 Pro semi-slick tires, specially developed to handle speeds of up to 310.6 mph (500 kph).

These components ensure that the car remains stable and safe, even when operating at the outer limits of what’s physically possible for a road-legal vehicle.

A New Era for Chinese Automakers

The success of the YangWang U9 Extreme underscores a dramatic shift in the global auto industry. Once criticized for imitation, Chinese automakers are now leading innovation, pushing past long-established Western brands in areas once thought untouchable.

With BYD’s achievement, the message is clear: the era of Chinese EVs dominating the world stage has already arrived. American and European carmakers now find themselves playing catch-up in a field where China is setting the pace.

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