BYD's YangWang U9, particularly the U9 Xtreme variant, has recently achieved a top speed of 308.4 mph (496.22 km/h) at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in Germany, setting a new world record for production cars. This feat surpasses the previous record held by the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ and marks a significant milestone for electric vehicles. The record was set on September 14, 2025, with German racing driver Marc Basseng behind the wheel.
The YangWang U9 is a battery-electric super-coupe manufactured by BYD Auto under its luxury car brand, YangWang. The U9 was first introduced in April 2023 and went on sale in February 2024. Mass production officially started on August 16, 2024. BYD's luxury sub-brand, YangWang, was launched in November 2022.
The U9 Xtreme is powered by a quad-motor powertrain delivering a total output of over 2,959 horsepower (2,220 kW). Each motor produces a peak power of 555kW, with a combined system output exceeding 3,000PS. The car runs on a 1200-volt system and features the world's first mass-produced 1200V ultra-high-voltage vehicle platform. The U9 utilizes advanced lithium-ion phosphate batteries. The vehicle also boasts an innovative thermal management system optimized for extreme conditions.
The e4 Platform, the world's first quad-motor system, features 30,000rpm high-performance motors. This gives the vehicle a power-to-weight ratio of 1,217PS per tonne. The e4 Platform's quad-motor independent torque-vectoring system monitors road feedback and adjusts each wheel's torque. The DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System allows for rapid, independent vertical adjustments to the suspension.
The U9 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a mere 2.36 seconds. The U9 is equipped with four 240 kW electric motors providing a total power output of 960 kW (1,290 hp). The U9 features BYD's proprietary "e4" individual wheel drive system, which redistributes torque among the four wheels in case of traction loss. The "DiSus" active suspension system allows the wheels' ground clearance to be readjusted individually and can even perform a brief vertical jump. The active suspension consists of DiSus-C for variable damping, DiSus-A for air suspension, and DiSus-P for hydraulic system control.
The U9 Xtreme features an entirely re-engineered cooling system to support the increased power output. The thermal-exchange efficiency of the electric drive system rises by 40%. The U9 Xtreme uses aerospace-grade T700/12K high-performance carbon fiber. It also utilizes high-speed stability technology with ultra-high-strength aramid fiber. The RaceGrip Pro semi-slick compound technology enhances responsiveness across the operating temperature range.
The U9 was launched in 2024 with a price of 1.68 million Yuan (USD 236,000; EUR 215,000). As of January 2025, the U9 had a cumulative delivery of 100 units in China.
BYD plans to take its most expensive car overseas, likely under a different name. The U9 is now available to customers, with a limited production run of no more than 30 units.
