BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme: The BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme has achieved what was once considered impossible for an electric hypercar — completing a lap of the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife in under seven minutes. This remarkable feat not only cements BYD’s growing influence in the global performance car space but also highlights the arrival of Chinese engineering dominance in the electric supercar era.
Key Highlights of BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme
- Lap Record: 6 minutes 59.157 seconds (first EV to break 7 minutes)
- Power Output: Around 3,000 hp (2,220 kW) from a quad-motor setup
- Technology: Built on BYD’s 1,200V e⁴ platform with DiSus-X body control system
- Top Speed: Recorded 496.22 km/h, making it the fastest production car globally
- Driver: German racer Moritz Kranz, a Nürburgring expert with 10,000+ laps
- Production: Limited to 30 units worldwide
- Bonus: Featured in Gran Turismo 7 for PlayStation 5
BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme Design & Technology
The U9 Xtreme’s appearance matches its performance — an aggressive yet elegant hypercar silhouette:
- Aerodynamic package: Includes a massive gooseneck-style rear wing, a carbon-fibre front splitter, and forged 20-inch wheels.
- Downforce optimization: Prioritizes grip and stability over straight-line drag.
- Digital cockpit: Features an AI-assisted control system and performance telemetry display.
- Sustainability: Zero-emission yet capable of outpacing traditional V12s.
BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme Powertrain & Performance
At the heart of the U9 Xtreme lies BYD’s most advanced electric platform ever developed.
- Quad-motor setup: One motor per wheel, capable of 30,000 rpm each.
- Battery pack: 80 kWh LFP (lithium iron phosphate) unit built on a 1,200V ultra-high-voltage architecture.
- Total Output: Over 3,000 hp, or roughly 1,217 PS per tonne — one of the highest power-to-weight ratios globally.
- Acceleration: Estimated 0–100 km/h in under 2 seconds.
- Top speed: Certified 496.22 km/h, overtaking records set by EVs like the Rimac Nevera.
This combination of raw power and intelligent torque vectoring allows the U9 Xtreme to unleash blistering acceleration while maintaining cornering stability at extreme speeds.
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BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme Engineering Marvel: Designed for Speed & Stability
To handle such extraordinary performance, BYD made several engineering breakthroughs:
- Redesigned cooling system to regulate the extreme heat from four motors.
- Titanium-alloy carbon-ceramic braking system for precise deceleration.
- DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System, adjusting suspension dynamics in real time.
- GitiSport e·GTR PRO semi-slick tires, developed with Giti for 500 km/h speed rating.
- Lightweight construction with carbon-fibre body panels and optimized aerodynamics.
Each of these systems worked in harmony to help the hypercar sustain peak performance throughout its record-breaking lap.
Breaking Barriers at the Nurburgring
The Nürburgring Nordschleife — also called the “Green Hell” — is the ultimate proving ground for performance cars. Spanning 20.8 km, it tests every aspect of handling, aerodynamics, and power delivery.
On this circuit, the BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme clocked 6:59.157, becoming the first-ever electric production supercar to breach the seven-minute mark. It beat the previous record-holder, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, by 5.8 seconds — a massive margin in racing terms.
This record also places the U9 Xtreme among some of the most iconic internal combustion cars ever to lap the track, including the Lamborghini Aventador SV and the Porsche 911 GT3 Manthey Kit.
From Real Track to Virtual World
Following its Nürburgring success, BYD announced that the Yangwang U9 Xtreme will soon join Gran Turismo 7 on the PlayStation 5, making it one of the first Chinese hypercars to appear in the legendary racing simulation.
This digital debut further extends the car’s global recognition, allowing enthusiasts worldwide to experience its record-breaking speed virtually.
Final Verdict
The BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme marks a defining moment in the evolution of electric performance cars. By becoming the first EV to complete a Nürburgring lap in under seven minutes and achieving a top speed of 496.22 km/h, it proves that electric hypercars can rival — and even surpass — their combustion-powered counterparts. With its 3,000hp quad-motor setup, cutting-edge 1,200V platform, and intelligent body control system, the U9 Xtreme showcases BYD’s unmatched engineering capability. The collaboration with professional racer Moritz Kranz and advanced aerodynamic tuning further underline its motorsport pedigree.
