The Chinese electric hypercar, YangWang U9 Xtreme, has set a new benchmark for production car top speed during a recent run at Germany’s ATP Papenburg oval track.
The U9 Xtreme reached a staggering 308.4 mph, making it the fastest production car in the world. Built by Chinese automaker BYD, the hypercar demonstrates just how far electric powertrains can push performance, delivering immense horsepower and blistering acceleration. Among the 120 cars Car and Driver tested in early 2025, the fastest two were over 1,000-hp EVs, with a 1,064-hp Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 claiming third place.
Outpacing the Bugatti
This record run puts the YangWang ahead of all competitors, including the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, which hit 304.8 mph in 2019. Driven by German racer Marc Basseng, the U9 Xtreme’s feat confirms that it is not just the fastest electric car, it is the fastest production car, full stop.
The U9 Xtreme’s performance comes from a quad-motor setup, with each motor producing 744 hp for a combined 2,959 hp. The hypercar uses a 1,200-volt system, up from the standard U9’s 800-volt architecture, allowing more power delivery but generating 67 percent more heat. To handle the record-breaking speed, BYD also fitted the car with higher-density battery cells, reduced the wheel size from 21 to 20 inches, narrowed the front track, and added wider semi-slick tires at the front.
Limited Production
While technically a production car, the U9 Xtreme will be extremely rare, with BYD planning to produce no more than 30 units of this top-speed variant. Even so, the achievement underscores the incredible potential of electric hypercars.
