Yangwang U9 Xtreme to Target 500 kph in Dubai
BYD plans a new top speed attempt for its electric supercar in Dubai after a record run in Germany.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Performance Vehicles
BYD plans to take the Yangwang U9 Xtreme out for another top speed run this month in Dubai, aiming to break the 500-kph (310.7-mph) barrier. The car previously reached 308.4 mph on September 14, 2025, a production car record.
Why it matters
A successful run would return the U9 Xtreme to the spotlight in the performance car market. It would also mark a further step in the competition for top production car speed records.
The U9 Xtreme uses four electric motors with a combined output of 2,977 horsepower on a 1,200-volt architecture, and reached 308.4 mph on September 14, 2025. The planned Dubai attempt requires a 15-km (9.3-mile) road stretch that is still being discussed with local authorities.
The players
BYD
BYD is a Chinese automaker and the parent company of the Yangwang performance brand, known for its electric vehicles and battery production.
Yangwang U9 Xtreme
The Yangwang U9 Xtreme is BYD's electric hypercar, a production model holding the production car top speed record.
The details
The planned run would take place on a 15-km stretch of road currently under discussion with local authorities in Dubai. The location was changed from Germany, where the previous record was set, for reasons BYD has not disclosed.
Timeline
September 14, 2025: U9 Xtreme sets 308.4 mph production car top speed record.
November 2026: Planned top speed run in Dubai targeting 500 kph is expected this month.
Roadmap
The U9 Xtreme's speed push sits within the electric hypercar race, where manufacturers now compete on top speed as well as acceleration, following benchmarks such as the Rimac Nevera R's 1.66-second zero-to-60 time. A 500-kph run would extend that competition from acceleration into the top-speed record category.
For buyers, the U9 Xtreme's record-setting performance signals what current production hypercars can do, though a top speed run is a test event rather than a change to purchase terms. The vehicle's nearly 5,500-pound weight and 1,200-volt architecture define its daily-driving profile and charging requirements for owners.
The takeaway
The U9 Xtreme's planned run shows manufacturers now treat top speed records as a benchmark for electric performance credibility. Readers tracking the segment should watch whether the Dubai attempt is confirmed and whether the 500-kph target is reached.
What happens next
BYD plans another top speed run of the Yangwang U9 Xtreme in Dubai sometime this month, aiming to exceed 500 kph.
Further reading
For more on the segment, explore Performance Vehicles coverage.
