BYD's luxury electric vehicle brand Yangwang has set a new production-car speed record, with the U9 Xtreme reaching 503.17kph on Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed International Road (E11) in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra Region on November 1, 2026. The speed surpasses the previous record of 496.22kph set by the same model in Germany in September 2025.
The 503.17kph run has been recognised by Guinness World Records in two categories: highest speed achieved by a production car in a single-direction run and highest speed achieved by an electric production car in a single-direction run. The achievement has also been recognised by the FIA. Racing driver Marc Basseng, who drove the U9 Xtreme during its previous record attempt, was behind the wheel.
The latest attempt took place on a 10km section of road that was closed for the event, with a seven-kilometre straight available for high-speed testing. Preparations included sweeping the road and inspecting its surface to remove debris that could affect the vehicle or its Giti tyres.
BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme's Record-Breaking Runs In Abu Dhabi
The record attempt involved two days of testing. During two runs on October 31, the U9 Xtreme reached a maximum speed of 490kph. Following the initial runs, Yangwang's engineering team made adjustments to the vehicle's suspension software, rear-wing angle and tyre pressures.
The suspension software was recalibrated to increase rebound damping in response to uneven sections of the road, while the rear-wing angle was adjusted to increase rear-axle downforce. The team also fine-tuned tyre pressures and optimised battery and motor temperatures ahead of the subsequent attempts.
Two more runs were completed on November 1. The first confirmed improvements in suspension, aerodynamics and tyre performance, while the second resulted in the 503.17kph record.
The U9 Xtreme has also recorded a lap time of 6 minutes 59.157 seconds at Germany's Nürburgring Nordschleife, making it the production electric vehicle lap-record holder at the circuit, according to BYD.
BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme: Powertrain And Battery Specifications
The U9 Xtreme is based on BYD's e4 platform and uses four independently controlled electric motors. Each motor produces 755PS (555kW), with a combined output exceeding 3,000PS. The motors can operate at speeds of up to 30,000rpm, while the vehicle has a claimed power-to-weight ratio of 1,217PS per tonne.
The motor configuration uses 0.1mm-thick super-silicon steel in the stator, 970MPa ultra-high-strength silicon steel in the rotor and aerospace-grade aluminium for the motor housing.
The vehicle also features an upgraded 1,200V electrical architecture, compared with the 800V system in the standard U9. The platform supports current levels of up to 1,000A and is designed to manage the thermal requirements associated with the vehicle's power output.
The U9 Xtreme retains BYD's Blade Battery technology, which uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry. According to the company, the battery's single-cell power density is 170% higher than that of its 800V system, supporting discharge rates of up to 30C.
The battery can deliver 1,800kW of power output at a 20% state of charge, while its peak energy recuperation rate exceeds 700kW. BYD also claims that the 1,200V platform reduces heat generation by up to 67% compared with an 800V system operating at the same power output.
e4 Platform And DiSus-X Suspension System
The U9 Xtreme uses BYD's e4 platform, which features independent torque vectoring across all four wheels. The system monitors road conditions and adjusts torque distribution at a frequency of more than 100 times per second to manage traction and vehicle stability.
It is paired with the DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System, which uses dual-valve electronic dampers. The system has a bandwidth exceeding 12kN and can generate up to 50kN of active force within 120 milliseconds.
The suspension can independently adjust vertical forces at each wheel to manage body movement during acceleration, braking and cornering. BYD states that the system can also produce up to 2.43 degrees of negative body roll at 0.3g, allowing the vehicle to lean into corners.
For the U9 Xtreme, Yangwang also worked with Giti Tire to develop a semi-slick tyre designed for high-speed operation. The tyre uses a revised compound and bespoke tread pattern. An additional knurling treatment at the wheel-rim interface, combined with a high-viscosity lubricant, is intended to reduce slippage between the tyre and rim during acceleration and braking.
BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme Production Limited To 30 Units
The first U9 Xtreme built to production specifications, named Dawn Moment, was unveiled at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show. Its exterior features a finish incorporating micron-scale gold powder beneath multiple layers of clear coat, alongside matte-gold sections.
Global production of the U9 Xtreme will be limited to 30 units. BYD said some customers have approved their individual vehicle specifications and are progressing towards contract signing and production scheduling.