Chinese automotive giant BYD has achieved a historic milestone after its Yangwang U9 Xtreme became the first production car to exceed 500 kilometres per hour.
The all-electric hypercar reached an astonishing 503.17 km/h (312.66 mph) during a high-speed test in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on November 1, 2026.
The achievement was officially recognized by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) on November 6. It also secured two Guinness World Records for single-direction speed.
Federation Internationale de l’Automobile+1
How Did BYD Break the 500 Km/h Speed Barrier?
The record-breaking attempt took place on Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed International Road in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region.
German racing driver Marc Basseng drove the vehicle on a specially closed 10-kilometre section of highway.
During initial testing on October 31, the car reached 490 km/h. Engineers subsequently adjusted its aerodynamic settings, suspension and tyre pressures.
Their modifications helped the vehicle achieve its historic speed during the final run.
What Makes the Yangwang U9 Xtreme So Powerful?
The electric hypercar features four independent motors producing nearly 3,000 horsepower.
It also uses a 1,200-volt electrical system, advanced battery cooling technology and specially developed high-performance tyres.
These technologies help maintain stability and control at extreme speeds.
The U9 Xtreme previously reached 496.22 km/h in Germany in September 2025.
Has BYD Beaten Every Supercar Manufacturer?
The latest achievement places BYD ahead of previous single-direction production-car speed benchmarks.
However, the record should not be confused with a two-way average speed record, which follows different verification requirements.
Only 30 units of the Yangwang U9 Xtreme are planned for global production.
The breakthrough demonstrates the rapidly advancing performance capabilities of electric vehicles.
