Yangwang U9 Xtreme hits 496kph top speed

BYD’s luxury Yangwang brand has unveiled the U9 Xtreme, a track-focused electric hypercar that achieved a top speed of 496.22kph and completed a Nürburgring lap in 6 minutes 59.157 seconds.

The Xtreme edition features enhanced aerodynamic components including a prominent rear wing, front splitter, and revised bodywork designed to maximise downforce and high-speed stability. Just 30 units will be produced for global markets.

The vehicle uses a new 1200-volt silicon carbide platform with four motors each producing 555kW for 2,220kW of total power. According to Yangwang, the U9 Xtreme was developed specifically to claim world records for the fastest production car and fastest production electric vehicle around the Nürburgring.

Advanced systems and performance technology

The hypercar combines Yangwang’s existing Disus-X suspension, which merges pneumatic and air suspension technologies, with proprietary Yi Si Fang technology. The 1200-volt platform increases power by 1339% with heat exchange efficiency improved by 40%.

The battery system can discharge at a 30C rate thanks to optimised cells and a new double-layer cooling structure. Combined with the four electric motors producing nearly 3000hp, the U9 Xtreme achieves a power-to-weight ratio of 1200hp per tonne.

Performance enhancements include an optimised anti-roll bar system, increased damping bandwidth, and front and rear suspension arms constructed from aviation-grade aluminium alloy. Titanium alloy brake calipers and carbon ceramic brake discs maintain braking performance at extreme temperatures.

Custom tyres designed for speeds over 500kph feature ultra-high-strength aramid fibre belts, increased silicon levels, and a double-layer water drainage groove system. A new non-thermoplastic formula increases the friction coefficient by over 36% to improve grip and handling.

Records broken and competition context

The U9 Xtreme’s 496.22kph top speed, confirmed at Germany’s Automotive Testing Papenburg site, surpasses the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ which held the previous record at 490.5kph. The hypercar nearly became the first production vehicle to exceed 500kph.

On the Nürburgring, the U9 Xtreme’s 6:59.157 lap time beat the recently set record of the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Nürburgring Edition by five seconds. This means Chinese electric vehicles now hold the top two positions for production electric cars around the 20.8km circuit.

The U9 Xtreme remains around 30 seconds slower than the fastest production car ever around the Nürburgring, the Mercedes-AMG ONE with a time of 6:29.09, highlighting the weight disadvantages that electric vehicles still face in cornering performance.

The standard U9 retails for RMB 1.68 million in China, suggesting the Xtreme variant will command a significant premium. While BYD has not announced official pricing for the U9 Xtreme, the limited production run and performance credentials position it in the ultra-premium hypercar segment.

BYD operates in New Zealand through Ateco Automotive, though the Yangwang brand and U9 models are not currently offered locally. The technological developments in the U9 Xtreme demonstrate the advancing capabilities of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers, including those with existing New Zealand market presence.