Electric Drive with 1,200 Volts Yangwang U9 Xtreme Reaches 503.17 km/h

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The Yangwang U9 Xtreme electric hypersport car set a new record at 503.17 km/h (312.66 mph). Behind this record-breaking run are four high-speed motors, a 1,200-volt architecture, and modifications to the suspension and thermal management system.

The Yangwang U9 Xtreme exceeded 500 km/h (310.7 mph) during a test drive in Abu Dhabi. On November 1, 2026, race car driver Marc Basseng reached a top speed of 503.17 km/h on a closed section of the E11 highway. With this, the BYD vehicle surpassed its previous record of 496.22 km/h, set in September 2025 at the test track in Papenburg.

The FIA has recognized the speed achieved. According to BYD, two Guinness World Records were also confirmed: the highest speed for a production vehicle and for an electric production vehicle in a single-direction run. The record thus refers to a single run.

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Four Motors and a Higher System Voltage

The technical foundation is a drive system with four individually controlled electric motors. BYD specifies an output of 555 kW each and speeds of up to 30,000 min⁻¹. For the stators, the manufacturer uses 0.1 mm-thick (0.004 inches) electrical steel sheets; for the rotors, a high-strength material. The wheel-specific torque distribution is designed to continuously adapt the drive forces to driving conditions.

Compared to the standard U9, the platform voltage increases from 800 to 1,200 V. A higher voltage generally makes it possible to transmit the same electrical power with a lower current. With resistance remaining constant, this reduces ohmic losses. At the same time, the requirements for the voltage withstand capability of the power electronics and the insulation of the high-voltage system increase.

An advanced blade battery with lithium iron phosphate cells serves as the energy storage device. The manufacturer specifies a discharge rate of up to 30C. This describes the ratio of discharge current to battery capacity and, mathematically, corresponds to a complete discharge within two minutes. Even at a state of charge of 20 percent, the battery is said to still be capable of delivering an output power of 1,800 kW.

The Vote will be Decisive

A 10-kilometer (6.2-mile)  stretch of road, featuring a 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) straightaway, was used for the record-breaking runs. On the first day of testing, the vehicle initially reached 490 km/h (304.5 mph). The team then optimized the preparation of the battery and motors to ensure they started the subsequent runs at the appropriate temperatures.

In addition, changes were made to the rear wing, the suspension control system, and the tire pressure. An adjusted wing angle increased downforce on the rear axle. The damper settings were tailored to handle slight road irregularities. On the second day, the car finally set the new record.

Development Area for High-Power Electric Drives

From a technical standpoint, the drive demonstrates how closely electric power delivery, temperature management, and vehicle control interact at high speeds. Additional engine power can only be utilized once the battery, power electronics, chassis, and tires are properly coordinated.

Limited to 30 units, the U9 Xtreme thus also serves as a testing ground for electric powertrains under extreme conditions. It remains to be seen which findings will later be incorporated into larger vehicle production runs. Potential areas of focus include the control of multiple motors, the delivery of high battery power, and thermal management. Their benefits could manifest in the future through reproducible power output and more efficient drive systems. 

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