Bugatti Beaten! Yangwang U9 Xtreme Hits 308 MPH To Become World’s Fastest Car

Take that, Bugatti! The Yangwang U9 Xtreme has just blasted its way into the record books, hitting a jaw-dropping 308.3 mph (496.22 km/h) at the ATP Papenburg test facility in Germany. That makes it the world’s fastest car, edging past the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ prototype. Only weeks after the U9 Track Edition set a new electric top-speed record, this latest version has gone one better—claiming the crown outright, no matter the powertrain. The margin over Bugatti’s W16 beast? Just 3.7 mph.

But the U9 Xtreme didn’t stop there. A new Nürburgring lap time was also announced: 6 minutes, 59.157 seconds. That’s blisteringly quick, though still shy of the insane 6:22.091 set by the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Prototype. Even so, the U9 Xtreme could still hold the title of the fastest electric production car around the ’Ring—depending, of course, on how strictly you define “production.” We’ll circle back to that point in a moment.

The man trusted with this record-breaking run was German racing driver Marc Basseng, a seasoned professional who has already set speed records before. With the U9 Xtreme, he joins the ultra-exclusive club of drivers who have pushed a road-legal vehicle beyond the 300 mph barrier.

But here’s the real question: what does it actually take to hit 300 mph in an electric car? Unlike traditional hypercars with monster combustion engines, EVs face unique challenges—managing battery heat, sustaining power delivery, and keeping aerodynamics in check without sacrificing stability. Every component, from the cooling system to the tire compound, has to be engineered for absolute precision. And then there’s the driver factor: nerves of steel, total trust in the machine, and the ability to react instantly at speeds where even the smallest twitch can spell disaster.

In short, breaking 300 mph in an EV isn’t just about raw horsepower—it’s about pushing the boundaries of engineering, aerodynamics, and human courage all at once.

Nearly 3,000 Electric Horsepower

Compared to the “standard” Yangwang U9, which produces a respectable 1,288 horsepower, the U9 Xtreme operates on a completely different level. This monster delivers a staggering 2,977 horsepower, courtesy of its four electric motors.

Each of these motors is a feat of engineering on its own, built with the thinnest super-silicon steel currently in mass production—measuring just 0.1 millimeters thick. This breakthrough material allows the motors to spin at an astonishing 30,000 rpm, delivering not just sheer power but also efficiency and durability at extreme loads.

It’s a reminder that in the EV arms race, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme isn’t simply relying on brute force—it’s redefining what electric motor technology can achieve.

But as Mate Rimac, Bugatti boss and EV pioneer, has pointed out before, motors aren’t the real bottleneck—it’s the batteries. The Yangwang U9 Xtreme tackles that problem head-on by taking its entire electric architecture to the next level.

This isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a leap. The U9 Xtreme is the world’s first 1,200-volt production vehicle, compared to the 800-volt system found in the standard model. That higher voltage allows the Blade Battery system, developed by parent company BYD, to deliver a massive 170% improvement in power density.

The result? Faster energy transfer, greater efficiency, and the ability to sustain nearly 3,000 horsepower without turning the battery pack into dead weight. It’s proof that the U9 Xtreme isn’t just about speed—it’s about redefining what battery technology can achieve under extreme conditions.

To hit its record-breaking numbers, BYD didn’t just rely on battery upgrades—it refined the mechanical setup, too. The U9 Xtreme rides on smaller 20-inch wheels this time, but with a key change: the front tires were widened to 325mm, now matching the rear. Wrapped in custom semi-slicks developed by Giti—rather than the Michelins typically used in high-speed runs—this setup maximized grip and stability at over 300 mph.

Despite packing nearly 3,000 horsepower and all the added hardware, the U9 Xtreme tips the scales at 5,467 pounds—just 11 pounds heavier than the standard model. That makes it a heavyweight in every sense, but also a production car. Well, sort of. BYD plans to build just 30 examples for global buyers. And if the $270,000 price tag of the regular U9 already stretches the budget, the Xtreme version will climb even higher.

A Record With An Asterisk To It

The debate over what counts as a legitimate top-speed record isn’t new. Bugatti’s 304.8-mph run was achieved in a heavily modified prototype, one that only loosely resembled the limited-production Chiron Super Sport 300+. For that reason, many never recognized it as a true production-car benchmark.

The same questions now surround the Yangwang U9 Xtreme. Although it just clocked 308.3 mph, this version hasn’t officially entered production yet. Until customer cars roll out, we can’t say for certain whether this prototype is an accurate reflection of what buyers will get. Notably, the Xtreme features a new aerodynamic package compared to standard U9 models. If this slippery, low-drag setup doesn’t reach production, then the record could fall into the same gray area as Bugatti’s controversial run.

​​​​​​​

There’s another wrinkle in the Yangwang U9 Xtreme story. While the 308.3-mph top speed was certified by ATP, its Nürburgring lap time has yet to be added to the track’s official list of verified records. Until it does, that achievement remains in a bit of a gray area.

Still, regardless of whether the 30 planned production units can replicate these figures, the accomplishment itself is staggering. Breaking 300 mph is rarefied territory—something only Bugatti has managed before. Even established hypercar names like Hennessey and Koenigsegg haven’t crossed that threshold yet.

Koenigsegg, for example, claims the Jesko Absolut is capable of 330.5 mph on paper, but real-world proof has been held back by tire certification and finding a safe venue for the run. Until those hurdles are cleared, Yangwang can enjoy its moment in the spotlight as the latest member of the 300-mph club.

FAQ’s