BYD Continues Pursuit of 500 km/h Speed Record for Electric Supercar
Following a high-speed crash during testing, the Chinese manufacturer remains committed to breaking the 500 km/h barrier with its Yangwang U9 Xtreme model.
Chinese automaker BYD is pushing forward with its ambitious goal to propel its Yangwang U9 Xtreme electric supercar beyond the 500 km/h threshold. The company is currently seeking a 15-kilometer stretch of road in the United Arab Emirates, specifically near Dubai or Abu Dhabi, to conduct a new high-speed attempt later this year. This initiative follows a series of rigorous tests aimed at cementing the vehicle's status as one of the fastest in the world.
The project recently faced a significant setback when a prototype was destroyed during a high-speed test run. While attempting to exceed 450 km/h, the vehicle veered off its trajectory and collided with a barrier. Despite the severity of the impact, which caused extensive damage to the rear and front sections of the car, the driver, Jiang Wen, emerged without injury. BYD attributed the driver's safety to the vehicle's carbon fiber monocoque, which maintained the integrity of the cabin during the crash.
The manufacturer reported that the vehicle's battery remained intact throughout the collision, preventing any fire. BYD engineers have since analyzed the data from the accident and have continued testing with a different vehicle. According to company officials, the pursuit of the 500 km/h milestone remains a primary objective for the engineering team, which is now coordinating with local authorities to secure a suitable location for future trials.
The Yangwang U9 Xtreme has already demonstrated exceptional performance. In September 2025, test driver Marc Basseng reached a speed of 496.22 km/h at the ATP testing facility in Germany. This performance surpassed the 490.48 km/h record set by the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ in 2019. During that run, Basseng eased off the accelerator as the car began to drift toward the edge of the track, despite having additional power available.
The technical specifications of the Yangwang U9 Xtreme are designed to support extreme velocity. The vehicle is equipped with four electric motors that generate a combined output of approximately 3,000 horsepower. To manage these forces, BYD collaborated with Giti to develop specialized high-speed tires and integrated an advanced aerodynamic package to ensure stability at speeds where the car covers more than 138 meters per second.
Production of the Yangwang U9 Xtreme is extremely limited, with only 30 units manufactured. Each vehicle is priced at approximately 2.5 million euros, or over 20 million yuan. The exclusivity of the model reflects its status as a flagship for BYD's technological capabilities in the electric vehicle sector.
While the company's intentions are clear, the logistics of the upcoming attempt remain in the planning stages. BYD has not yet confirmed a specific date or secured the necessary permits to close a public road for the test. Success will depend on various environmental and technical factors, including road surface quality, wind conditions, and the ability to safely decelerate from such extreme speeds. For now, the team continues to refine its approach, aiming to close the small gap of less than 4 km/h required to reach the 500 km/h target.