BYD: How an EV Won the World’s Fastest Production Car Record

YANGWANG, the luxury sub-brand of new-energy vehicle manufacturer BYD, has established a new global production-car top-speed record. 

The achievement highlights the potential of electric mobility to deliver high performance with zero emissions.

The U9 Xtreme hypercar reached a top speed of 308.4 mph at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in Germany on 14 September 2025. 

This speed surpassed its own previous EV record and also exceeded the 304.1 mph maximum of the fastest petrol-powered model, making it the world’s fastest production car. 

Sustainable technology and performance

The vehicle, officially named the YANGWANG U9 Xtreme or U9X, is an evolution of the U9 model currently available in China. 

Its performance is derived from a series of technological upgrades designed to maximise the potential of its electric architecture.

These developments include an upgraded powertrain featuring 1200V ultra-high-voltage electrics, a step up from the previous 800V system. 

It incorporates a lithium iron phosphate Blade Battery with a discharge rate of 30C and four ultra-high-speed motors that operate at up to 30,000rpm, producing a combined total of more than 3,000PS.

The car is also fitted with track-level semi-slick tyres and features a revised DiSus-X suspension system, specifically tuned to handle the increased stresses of high-speed circuit use. 

These features demonstrate a focus on pushing the boundaries of what is achievable with sustainable technology.

A new era for EVs

The record-breaking achievement was met with praise from those involved. 

“This is an incredibly proud moment for everyone in the research and development division,” says Stella Li, Executive Vice President at BYD.

“YANGWANG is a brand that does not recognise the impossible and only through this commitment to what’s coming next can you end up with a vehicle like the U9X. 

“I extend my gratitude to the whole team and my thanks to the driver, Marc Basseng, for his skill and technical input. 

“It’s terrific that the fastest production car in the world is now electric.”

The person at the wheel for the record attempt was Marc Basseng, a German track specialist. 

His experience in sports-car racing and endurance motorsport provided valuable input during the development. 

“This record was only possible because the U9 Xtreme simply has incredible performance,” says Marc. 

“Technically, something like this is not possible with a combustion engine. 

“Thanks to the electric motor, the car is quiet, there are no load changes and that allows me to focus even more on the track.” 

His comments underline the distinct advantages of electric powertrains in high-performance applications.

The U9 Xtreme is set for a limited series production run of no more than 30 units.