BYD’s all-electric hypercar, the YangWang U9 Extreme, has stunned the automotive world by reaching a top speed of 308.33 miles per hour during testing in Germany. The achievement, livestreamed from the Automotive Testing Papenburg facility, makes the U9 Extreme the fastest electric hypercar yet and positions it above Bugatti’s long-standing record.
The previous benchmark was set in 2019 by the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, which reached 304.77 mph. With its new figure of 496.22 km/h (308.33 mph), the U9 Extreme has edged ahead, showing the potential of electric performance at the highest levels.
CarNewsChina, which highlighted the pivotal moment from the livestream, noted that the test followed a similar approach to Bugatti’s attempt. While official speed records usually require an average across two runs in opposite directions, both Bugatti and BYD recorded their landmark results with single-direction runs.
Built for extreme performance
The YangWang U9 Extreme is powered by four electric motors delivering just under 3,000 horsepower, giving it the strength to push boundaries once reserved for combustion engines. It also makes use of one of the world’s first 1,200V platforms, which increases efficiency, boosts performance and helps reduce weight.
This advanced platform, paired with cutting-edge engineering, enabled the U9 Extreme to handle the extreme demands of high-speed testing. The hypercar’s record-setting result shows how far electric vehicle technology has progressed, not only in acceleration but also in sustained performance at unprecedented speeds.
Limited production and exclusivity
Like the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, the YangWang U9 Extreme will be produced in minimal numbers. Only 30 units are planned, making it a rare and highly desirable model for collectors and performance enthusiasts alike.
Although BYD has not yet revealed the price, industry observers expect it to be extremely high given the car’s specifications and exclusivity. With its new world-leading performance, however, demand is unlikely to be a problem for the Chinese carmaker.
The YangWang U9 Extreme’s achievement represents another milestone for electric vehicles. It signals a shift in the hypercar market, where EVs are increasingly competing with – and now surpassing – their petrol-powered rivals.
