In a move that sends a seismic shock through the automotive world, BYD has officially unveiled the Yangwang U9 Xtreme—a limited-edition hypercar that has simultaneously dethroned the Bugatti Chiron as the world's fastest production car and blitzed the Nürburgring in a breathtaking sub-seven-minute lap.
The announcement, made at the prestigious 2025 Auto Show in Guangzhou, confirms the specs and record-breaking performance that had been circulating in rumors for months. The U9 Xtreme is not just a concept; it's a rolling statement of intent from China's automotive giant, and it's now on display for the world to see.
Unprecedented Performance: 308 MPH and a Sub-7-Minute 'Ring Lap
The numbers are staggering. The U9 Xtreme has set a new benchmark for production car top speed, achieving a blistering 496.22 km/h (308.16 mph), officially eclipsing the legendary Bugatti Chiron. This feat alone would be enough to cement its place in automotive history, but BYD didn't stop there.
On the grueling Nordschleife circuit of the Nürburgring, a true test of a car's all-around performance, the U9 Xtreme clocked a lap time of 6 minutes and 59.157 seconds. Breaking the elusive seven-minute barrier places it in an elite club of hypercars, proving it's not just a straight-line missile but a formidable track weapon.
The Tech Behind the Triumph
So, how did BYD do it? The U9 Xtreme is a masterclass in electric performance engineering. At its heart are four electric motors generating a combined output of nearly 3,000 horsepower, channeled through a heavily upgraded e⁴ intelligent all-wheel-drive system.
To harness this immense power, BYD left nothing to chance. The hypercar features a full suite of track-focused upgrades, including:
- Aerodynamic Overhaul: A massive carbon fiber rear spoiler, a prominent front splitter, fender flares, and a dual-layer rear diffuser work in concert to generate immense downforce, keeping the car planted at astronomical speeds.
- Stopping Power: To decelerate from its 500 km/h-rated top speed, BYD equipped the U9 Xtreme with a custom carbon-ceramic braking system and lightweight titanium alloy calipers.
- The Tire & Battery Partnership: The car rides on custom semi-slick GitiSport e·GTR2 PRO tires, specifically designed to handle the extreme forces. The real star, however, might be the bespoke Blade Battery. Engineered specifically for the U9 Xtreme, it features a dual-layer cooling system and cells optimized for minimal resistance, granting it an insane 30C discharge rate. This allows the battery to deliver 30 times its total capacity in amps, providing the short, violent bursts of energy needed to propel the car to its record-breaking speeds.
The excitement from the unveiling was palpable, with BYD showcasing the car's design and technology to an eager audience. Official images and first impressions from the Guangzhou Auto Show floor have been widely shared, including on social media platforms like Weibo, giving fans a closer look at this engineering marvel.
A New Era for Chinese Performance EVs
Perhaps the most compelling part of the U9 Xtreme story is its price. While it will command a premium over the standard Yangwang U9 (which starts around a quarter-million dollars), it is not expected to carry the seven-figure price tag typical of European hypercars. This aggressive pricing underscores a broader shift in the industry.
The U9 Xtreme's success is no isolated incident. Chinese EVs are rapidly climbing the performance ranks. Recent global acceleration rankings now feature Chinese brands in the top three spots, with the leader boasting a 0-60 mph time of just 1.9 seconds, pushing established players like the Tesla Model S into fourth place. The era of Chinese electric performance has well and truly arrived.
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This article is based on reporting from Car News China regarding the BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme unveiling and the rise of Chinese EVs in performance rankings.
FASTEST CAR ON THE PLANET
— BYD (@BYDCompany) September 22, 2025
The YANGWANG U9 Xtreme shattered the production-car speed record with a breathtaking run of 496.22 km/h at ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg.
Watch the full VBOX top-speed run now. pic.twitter.com/tU4e1U9zbv