A Chinese electric hypercar has shattered the world speed record for production vehicles, reaching almost 500 kilometres per hour.
BYD's Yangwang U9 Xtreme achieved an unprecedented speed of 308.4mph (496.22km/h) on September 14 at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg circuit in Germany.
The hypercar's maximum speed of 308.4 miles per hour surpasses both the previous electric vehicle record and the 490.484km/h benchmark held by the quickest petrol-powered production model.
Yangwang operates as the premium division of BYD, a major player in the global electric vehicle sector, and one of the fastest-growing brands in the UK and Europe.
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Despite the record-breaking achievement, the company plans to manufacture just 30 examples of the U9 Xtreme.
This achievement also marks a historic moment for electric vehicles, as the U9 Xtreme has become the fastest production car globally.
Engineers equipped the hypercar with 1200-volt ultra-high-voltage electrical systems, a substantial upgrade from the conventional 800-volt architecture.
Power comes from four electric motors capable of spinning at 30,000 revolutions per minute, collectively generating over 3,000PS.
BYD's Yangwang U9 Xtreme has become the world’s fastest production car with a top speed of 308.4mph
|BYD
The vehicle utilises BYD's lithium iron phosphate Blade Battery technology, engineered to deliver an exceptional 30C discharge rate.
German racing driver Marc Basseng piloted the vehicle during its record-breaking attempt at the Papenburg facility, praising the hypercar's exceptional capabilities following the achievement.
He said: "This record was only possible because the U9 Xtreme simply has incredible performance. Technically, something like this is not possible with a combustion engine."
"Thanks to the electric motor, the car is quiet, there are no load changes, and that allows me to focus even more on the track."
Only 30 models of the Yangwang U9 Xtreme will be made
|BYD
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BYD's leadership team praised the record-breaking lap at the track in Germany
|BYD
Additional modifications include specially developed semi-slick tyres designed for track use and a recalibrated DiSus-X suspension system.
Engineers specifically adjusted the suspension settings to withstand the extreme forces encountered during high-speed circuit operations.
BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li expressed pride in the engineering team's accomplishment, saying: "This is an incredibly proud moment for everyone in the research and development division.
"Yangwang is a brand that does not recognise the impossible, and only through this commitment to what's coming next can you end up with a vehicle like the U9X.
"I extend my gratitude to the whole team, and my thanks to the driver, Marc Basseng, for his skill and technical input. It's terrific that the fastest production car in the world is now electric."
The vehicle's designation reflects its extreme nature, with the "X" symbolising the unknown and the pursuit of ultimate limits.
BYD has quickly become a driver favourite in the UK, with 24,333 new registrations so far this year, representing an impressive 1.92 per cent of the total market share.
It also shows the dramatic rise in popularity with a huge 492 per cent increase in sales year-on-year, proving that BYD and other Chinese manufacturers will remain on the UK market for years to come.