The automotive world just got flipped upside down by a Chinese electric hypercar from BYD. The Yangwang U9 Xtreme hit 308.4mph at Germany’s ATP Papenburg high-speed oval, officially becoming the fastest production car ever built and dethroning the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ that held the record at 304.8mph since 2019.
German race driver Marc Basseng piloted the electric monster to its record breaking run, joining the exclusive 300mph club after previously hitting 233mph in the standard U9 last year. The achievement obliterates previous electric speed records, leaving the Aspark Owl at 272.6mph and Rimac Nevera R at 268.2mph looking pedestrian by comparison.
The Xtreme version packs 2,978 horsepower from four electric motors, more than double the regular U9’s 1,288hp output. Each motor can spin at 30,000rpm using the world’s thinnest super silicon steel at just 0.1mm thickness. The car runs on a groundbreaking 1,200V ultra-high voltage platform, upgraded from the standard 800V system for quicker power delivery and reduced heat generation.
BYD’s Blade Battery technology increases cell density by 170% compared to 800V systems, allowing discharge rates up to 30C, which is 10 times faster than conventional EV batteries. This means sustained high current output without thermal meltdown during extreme speed runs.
The record setter features modifications including smaller 20 inch wheels instead of 21s, plus wider 325mm front tires matching the rears for better stability. Despite the massive power increase, total weight only climbs 5kg to 2,480kg compared to the standard car.
Only 30 U9 Xtreme models will be produced globally, with pricing expected significantly above the regular U9’s $270,000 starting price. The achievement represents a seismic shift in automotive hierarchy, with a Chinese electric car now holding the ultimate production car bragging rights over European legends.
The next target could be the Buckeye Bullet 3’s electric land speed record of 341.264mph, though that specialized machine isn’t road legal. For now, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme stands alone as the fastest car you can actually drive on public roads, assuming you can find a highway long enough to use all that performance.
