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BYD’s monstrous 3,000 hp Yangwang U9 has set a world record as the fastest production automobile ever. The hypercar reached a speed of 308 mph in Germany, surpassing the Bugatti Chiron.
The BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme is living up to its name as it sets a world record for a production car. The EV became the top dog after hitting 308.4 mph at the ATP Patenburg arena in Germany. The world was still reeling from the Yangwang U9 becoming the fastest electric car, reaching a speed of 293.54 mph in August.
The latest feat means BYD has leapfrogged the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, which achieved 304.8 mph in 2019. Other models in the top five include the Aspark Owl, which reached a speed of 272.6 mph, and the Rimac Nevera R, which recorded a speed of 268.2 mph.
The BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme generates a mind-boggling 2,978 hp from four electric motors. It is also the first production electric car built on a 1,200V platform, an upgrade from the 800V architecture of the ‘regular’ U9 with 1,288 hp.
BYD installed 170 percent denser Blade batteries in the U9 Xtreme, allowing it to draw power at ten times the rate of conventional EVs. The Chinese automaker also used smaller 20-inch tires. Despite its high performance, the U9 Xtreme weighs only 5 kg more than the standard U9.
At the driver’s seat again is driver Marc Basseng, who piloted the Yangwang to its previous triumph. With the latest feat, Basseng has made it into the club of select individuals who have exceeded 300 mph on the road. He can also boast of the exclusivity of driving a U9 Extreme, as BYD will only make 30 units.
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David Odejide – Tech Writer – 247 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024
Building on my first degree in Mechanical Engineering and a second degree in Environmental Management (Energy), I have carved a niche as a Content Strategist/Business Developer in the solar industry and writer on electric vehicles and renewables (solar, wind, onshore, offshore, etc.).
My articles have appeared in print, on media websites, and corporate blogs. I have produced hundreds of video scripts for popular YouTube channels on EVs and sustainability.
I will bring unique insights to trends and news from the EV and renewable energy industries, based on more than a decade of following and writing about them.
In my spare time, I manage one of the largest LinkedIn groups for wind energy professionals. I also like to get lost in Scotland’s natural beauty.
David Odejide, 2025-09-20 (Update: 2025-09-20)
