Luxury high-performance automaker Yangwang has officially cemented its status in automotive history by claiming the world production car speed record during a high-stakes run in Abu Dhabi. Hitting a blistering top speed of 312.65mph on a single run, the sleek electric vehicle eclipsed the company's previous benchmark of 308.4mph set back in 2025. More importantly, this monumental milestone marks the very first time a production vehicle has smashed through the 500km/h barrier while operating on a public road.
The record-breaking effort took place on a strictly closed section of the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed International Road, also known locally as the E11. Pulling off a run of this magnitude required meticulous preparation from the engineering crew, who had to manually clear the desert asphalt of accumulated sand to secure optimal tire traction. Stella Li, executive vice president of Yangwang's parent company BYD, praised the team behind the engineering feat, noting that the company's engineers are young, bold, and fiercely ambitious.
Key takeaways
- Yangwang hit a top speed of 312.65mph on a closed road in Abu Dhabi.
- The vehicle utilizes four powerful electric motors and a 1200V architecture.
- Total output for the Xtreme variant reaches a staggering 2,978bhp.
- The manufacturer plans to build a limited run of 30 units worldwide.
Engineering the U9 Xtreme
Powering this record-breaking machine is a heavily upgraded variant of the already formidable Yangwang U9. While the standard production model relies on a respectable 1,252bhp powertrain, the hardcore Xtreme variant leaps forward by adopting an advanced 1200V electrical architecture alongside four upgraded electric motors. Together, these mechanical and electrical enhancements unlock an astonishing 2,978bhp, delivering double the horsepower found in historical hypercars like the Bugatti Veyron.
Despite the staggering performance figures, the single-direction nature of the record attempt has drawn some minor debate among automotive purists who typically prefer an average speed calculated from runs in both directions. Even so, the sheer technical achievement of extracting nearly 3,000 horsepower from a battery-powered platform remains a watershed moment for modern automotive engineering. Meanwhile, the standard iteration of the U9 continues to retail for around $200,000 or £200,000 in China and select international markets, offering advanced capabilities like BYD's DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System which allows the car to leap off the ground.
Global Availability and Production Plans
Following the successful demonstration on the E11 highway, Yangwang has confirmed concrete plans to manufacture a limited production run of just 30 units for the U9 Xtreme worldwide. While the company has kept precise pricing details under wraps for this ultra-exclusive variant, the rollout highlights the rapid maturation of high-performance electric vehicles. As traditional combustion engine giants watch from the sidelines, Yangwang and its parent company BYD continue to rewrite the rulebook on what battery technology can achieve on open asphalt.
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