The crown for the world’s fastest production car has dramatically changed hands. The fully electric BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme has shattered expectations by setting a new global speed record, dethroning the legendary Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+. The breakthrough run took place on Saturday, 20 September 2025, at the Automotive Testing Papenburg (ATP) track in Lower Saxony, Germany, and redefines the limits of automotive engineering. The achievement was confirmed in an official company statement and first reported by The WP Times.
On Saturday, at the renowned Automotive Testing Papenburg (ATP) facility in Lower Saxony, the Chinese-built hypercar stormed down the high-speed straight, achieving an astonishing 308.4 mph (496.3 km/h). This milestone, unprecedented for an electric vehicle, positions BYD at the forefront of both technology and prestige.
Behind the wheel was seasoned German driver Marc Basseng, who guided the four-motor beast to its historic achievement. The U9 Xtreme, powered by a 1200-volt silicon-carbide platform and four 555 kW electric motors(combined output: 2220 kW), demonstrated how far battery-driven performance can be pushed. Its lithium-iron-phosphate battery packs, cooled by a bespoke system, ensured stability and constant power delivery throughout the record run.
Aerodynamics and tyre innovation
Beyond sheer horsepower, BYD’s engineers relied on radical aerodynamics and fine-tuned adjustments. The car’s front track was narrowed, while an aggressive aero package reduced drag and boosted stability. Specially designed 20-inch GitiSport eGTR2 Pro semi-slick tyres—rated for 310 mph—were fitted to handle the extreme loads. Each wheel motor operated independently, maximising grip and control even at the razor edge of 500 km/h.
A new era after Bugatti’s reign
This triumph dethrones Bugatti’s Chiron Super Sport 300+, which in 2019 set a benchmark of 304.77 mph (490.48 km/h) at Ehra-Lessien with British driver Andy Wallace. That record relied on an 8.0-litre W16 quad-turbo petrol engine producing 1600 PS. BYD’s accomplishment, by contrast, signals a profound shift: the fastest production car in the world now runs on electricity.
With this victory, BYD has not only rewritten performance history but also signalled a new geopolitical reality in the car industry: China, not Europe, now holds the ultimate speed crown.
For British buyers eager to experience the world’s new fastest production car, reality remains sobering. The BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme is not currently available for purchase in the UK, and the manufacturer has given no firm date for a European launch. At present, the model exists only as an ultra-limited flagship in China, serving as a halo project to showcase BYD’s technological dominance. Even there, ownership is reserved for the elite: with a reported price tag exceeding $1 million, the U9 Xtreme sits far beyond the reach of typical supercar collectors. Industry insiders suggest that if the car does arrive in Europe, it will be through highly restricted allocations rather than open dealership sales, underscoring its role as a brand statement rather than a commercial volume product.
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