BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme breaks 500 km/h speed record in Abu Dhabi
The Megacar achieved a top speed of 503.17 km/h on open roads and earned a Guinness World Record.
The BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme has become the first production car to exceed the 500 km/h mark on open roads, according to a report by RushLane. The vehicle reached a top speed of 503.17 km/h in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and has been awarded a Guinness World Record for the feat.
The Megacar is a high-performance version of the BYD Yangwang U9. It is powered by four motors on the 1200V e4 (Yi Si Fang) platform, which deliver a peak power of 2,977 bhp. The motors can reach 30,000 RPM and provide 1,200 bhp per tonne.
To manage high speeds, the U9 Xtreme features aerodynamic updates such as a large carbon fiber front splitter, a dual-channel hood, a tall swan neck rear spoiler, and a massive diffuser. The vehicle also uses a torque vectoring system that adjusts parameters 100 times per second.
The car is powered by an 80 kWh battery pack with a 30C discharge rate. This architecture supports the 1200V and 1000A requirements of the four motors. Production of the model is limited to 30 units worldwide.
In September last year, the vehicle recorded a top speed of 496.22 km/h in Germany. It also completed a lap at the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 6m 59.157s, making it the first mass-produced electric supercar to achieve that time.