BYD U9 sets new speed record

This Chinese supercar has left the likes of Ferrari, Porsche and Bugatti behind in taking the mantle as the ‘world’s fastest car’.

The world’s fastest car is electric.

Chinese EV giant BYD claims to have eclipsed the world record for the top speed recorded by a production car, by reaching 496.22km/h in the “Extreme” version of its Yangwang U9 supercar.

The battery-powered beast eclipsed the 490.484km/h record set by Bugatti’s Chiron in 2019.

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BYD's Yangwang U9 Extreme is the world's fastest car.

It comes three weeks after BYD set a new record for electric cars with the same model, which hit 472.41km/h at a German test track.

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FASTEST CAR ON THE PLANET

The YANGWANG U9 Xtreme shattered the production-car speed record with a breathtaking run of 492.22 km/h at ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg.

Watch the full VBOX top-speed run now. pic.twitter.com/Z7aApyfjoS

— BYD (@BYDCompany) September 21, 2025

The test car driven by German racer Marc Basseng is a more powerful version of the regular Yangwang U9.

Now capable of producing 2220kW – almost 10 times the power of conventionally quick cars such as the Volkswagen Golf R – the BYD is one of the most powerful cars in the world.

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BYD's Yangwang U9 set a new EV speed record. Picture: Supplied

BYD’s range-topping supercar made global headlines earlier this year with its ability to jump clear of obstacles such as potholes, using electrically powered suspension to leap clear of debris.

BYD's electric supercar can jump over obstacles.

BYD will only sell a handful of Extreme examples to the public.

Full details and prices for the car have not been confirmed, but it is likely to cost a fair whack more than the standard Yangwang U9 sold for about $360,000 in China.

In any case, it should be a fraction of the cost of Bugatti’s $5 million Chiron.

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Bugatti set the previous top speed record with its Chiron hypercar.

EV fans have pointed out that electric vehicles now represent the world’s fastest car (BYD Yangwang U9), the fastest accelerating car (McMurtry Speirling), and the world’s best-selling car (Tesla Model Y), suggesting that battery-powered cars are well on their way to taking over the world’s roads.

Originally published as BYD U9 sets new speed record