The electric vehicle sector has reached a significant milestone as BYD’s YangWang U9 Xtreme has been officially recognized as the world’s fastest car. This achievement comes as it surpasses the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, which had held the title for several years.
Reaching a remarkable speed of 496.22 km/h (308.4 mph), the U9 Xtreme demonstrates that electric hypercars are not just excelling in acceleration but also in achieving extraordinary top speeds among vehicles manufactured in China.
BYD Achieves a Historic Milestone with the U9 Xtreme
- The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ set a top-speed record of 304.8 mph (490.4 km/h) in 2019, a record that remained unbroken for years.
- At Germany’s ATP Papenburg oval track, German driver Marc Basseng piloted the U9 Xtreme past the previous record, marking a significant achievement for BYD.
- This accomplishment follows the U9 Xtreme’s recent success in breaking the record for the fastest production electric vehicle, now holding the overall fastest car title.
Powerful Quad-Motor Configuration
The BYD YangWang U9 Xtreme features a quad-motor configuration, with each motor generating 744 hp, leading to a total output exceeding 3,019 PS (2,959 hp). In contrast to the standard U9, which operates on an 800-volt system, the Xtreme utilizes a 1200-volt architecture, providing substantial power to its motors. This advancement increases thermal output by 67%, necessitating the use of high-density battery cells to effectively manage the energy requirements.
Engineering enhancements also include smaller 20-inch wheels, a narrower front track, and wider semi-slick tires, all meticulously tuned for optimal speed performance.
Limited Production Numbers
Although classified as a production model, BYD has announced that only 30 units of the U9 Xtreme will be manufactured. This limited production not only signifies a technological achievement but also establishes the vehicle as a rare collector’s item targeted at affluent buyers.
