BYD YangWang U9 Xtreme is the Fastest Car on Earth

BYD YangWang U9 Xtreme becomes the fastest EV ever with 308.33 mph, reshaping hypercar competition and showcasing cutting-edge electric tech.

Speed records have always been about bragging rights, engineering prowess, and a little bit of ego. In 2019, Bugatti turned heads worldwide when the Chiron Super Sport 300+ ripped down a stretch of asphalt at 304.77 mph (490.48 kmh), cementing its status as the fastest production car on the planet. That was a combustion engine’s victory lap.

BYD YangWang U9 Xtreme is the Fastest Car on Earth

Now, six years later, the script has been flipped. Right now BYD’s luxury sub-brand YangWang has entered the arena with its all-electric U9 Xtreme, hitting a blistering 308.33 mph (496.21 kmh). The future, it seems, has arrived on a surge of silent power.

Why This Record Is More Than Just Numbers

On paper, breaking Bugatti’s record by just a few mph doesn’t sound earth-shattering. But dig deeper, and the achievement becomes monumental:

1. Breaking the 300 mph barrier is not just for any car, but for the first-ever production EV.
2. Setting a new benchmark for what’s technologically possible in sustainable mobility.
3. Proving that electric drivetrains aren’t just catching up to combustion... they’re surpassing them in performance-intensive arenas.

The run took place on the Automotive Testing Papenburg (ATP) high-speed oval in Germany, a proving ground known for hosting extreme performance trials. It wasn’t a two-way average record. Instead it was "merely" a single direction blast... but that’s the same method Bugatti used for its headline-making run in 2019.

Engineering the Impossible: How the BYD YangWang U9 Xtreme Makes History

Hitting over 300 mph requires more than brute force. It demands balance between power, aero, cooling, and control. YangWang seems to have nailed all four.

1. Powertrain: Quad-Motor Electricity Unleashed

• 1,200-volt architecture: this alone edges past typical hypercar EV systems, which max out around 800V.
• Four ultra-high-speed motors, each capable of spinning at up to 30,000 rpm.
• Combined output: 2,977 horsepower.
• Power-to-weight ratio: 1,217 PS per ton—numbers usually reserved for top-tier track specials.

2. The Blade Battery Advantage

BYD’s proprietary Lithium Iron Phosphate Blade Battery isn’t just about durability, it’s track-bred for extreme duty:

• Dual-layer cooling system for tight thermal control.
• 30C discharge capability, allowing massive power delivery without meltdown.
• Maintains steady performance during full-flat runs, reducing variance and safety risks.

3. Intelligent Torque Vectoring

Think of this as a brain for the drivetrain. It is able to adjust power distribution over 100 times per second. The result?

• Maximum grip when cornering or correcting at extreme speeds.
• Independent wheel control for laser-precise handling.

4. Track-Tuned Suspension & Braking

• DiSusX adaptive suspension, recalibrated for the forces of sustained 300+ mph driving.  
• GitiSport e·GTR2 Pro semi-slick tires: track-grade rubber with high stability ratings.
• Carbon ceramic brakes with titanium calipers to tame momentum without fade.

Aerodynamics: The Invisible Hero

While the press focuses on the battery and motors, aerodynamics is quietly the backbone here. At 308 mph, air becomes a wall that can literally crush parts not designed to handle it. The BYD YangWang U9 Xtreme's body takes cues from existing U9 track designs, reworked for:

• Minimal drag coefficient.
• Maximized downforce without excessive rear wing interference.
• Enhanced cooling channel airflow for the battery and motors at top speed.

This blend of drag reduction and stability is what lets the car push beyond Bugatti territory while maintaining driver confidence.

The Human Factor: Marc Basseng’s Role

It’s easy to forget that at the center of every speed record is a driver who has to trust the car with both skill and nerve. German racing veteran Marc Basseng who is known for his endurance racing résumé brought that balance. His verdict?

“This record was only possible because the U9 Xtreme simply has incredible performance. Quiet operation, no load changes—this allows me to focus entirely on line and control.”  

For Basseng, the EV’s lack of vibration and gear shifts meant pure concentration, something combustion cars inherently disrupt.

The Bigger Picture: EV Hypercars Are Not a Trend! They’re the Next Era

The BYD YangWang U9 Xtreme’s performance makes a compelling argument: We’re entering an age where EV hypercars could dominate every measurable aspect of performance—speed, acceleration, handling, and possibly even longevity. That’s not to say combustion will disappear overnight. It still holds a nostalgic and cultural grip... but technology is accelerating faster than ever.

Consider these implications:

• Thermal breakthroughs like the Blade Battery’s cooling could trickle down into mainstream EVs, enhancing efficiency and battery life.
• Quad-motor architectures might eventually bring motorsport-grade handling to everyday performance cars.
• Record-setting visibility draws consumer attention, shifting perceptions about EVs from “eco boxes” to “serious machines.”

Exclusivity and Collectability

The YangWang U9 Xtreme isn’t just a speed record holder, it’s a rarity:

• Only 30 production units will exist.
• Pricing remains undisclosed, but it will certainly sit in rarefied hypercar territory, possibly above the US$2M mark.

For collectors, it’s a chance to own not just a performance marvel, but a historical pivot point in automotive history.

Closing Thoughts

The BYD YangWang U9 Xtreme’s achievement isn’t simply about going faster than a Bugatti. In fact, it’s about signaling a seismic shift in what’s possible when electric technology meets uncompromising hypercar ambition. This is the EV world taking the gloves off. For more information, head over to BYD's official website.

If you could get behind the wheel of an EV capable of outpacing a Bugatti, would you trust the tech... or stick with the roar of petrol power? Let’s talk in the comments.