China’s BYD has announced that its Yangwang U9 ‘Xtreme’ supercar has achieved a top speed of 496.22 km/h (308 mph) during a test drive in Germany earlier this month.
This sets a new world record, surpassing the 490.5 km/h mark set by Bugatti’s Chiron Super Sport in 2019. It also marks the first time an electric vehicle has held the title of the world’s fastest car.
The Yangwang U9 Xtreme, a high-performance version of BYD’s U9 model, is priced at around USD 233,000. Only 30 units of the vehicle—featuring an upgraded powertrain and advanced battery system—are expected to be produced.
The achievement highlights China’s growing dominance in the electric vehicle market. Nearly 50% of new car sales in the country last year were EVs, reinforcing its position as the world’s largest and most profitable producer of electric vehicles.
