Marc Basseng drove the Yangwang U9 Xtreme to 503.17 km/h on a closed highway, setting a new single-direction production-car speed benchmark.
An electric hypercar has crossed the 500 km/h threshold on a secured highway in Abu Dhabi. German racing driver Marc Basseng reached 503.17 km/h, approximately 312.7 mph, in the Yangwang U9 Xtreme on November 1. Abu Dhabi authorities announced the achievement November 6.
The FIA recognized the speed and confirmed that the performance earned Guinness records for the highest speed achieved by a production car and an electric production car in a single-direction run. That category describes how the achievement was measured and recorded.
The attempt took place on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed International Road, the E11, in Al Dhafra. Authorities coordinated the closure of a 10-kilometer section, providing a seven-kilometer straight for the high-speed runs. The preparation turned a public highway into a controlled testing environment.
THE INFORMANT
THE ROAD TO 500+ KM/H
Yangwang U9 Xtreme · Historical speed milestones
503.17 km/h
Approximately 312.7 mph
November 1, 2026 · Abu Dhabi
Driver — Marc Basseng
| Date | Location | km/h |
|---|---|---|
| August 2025 | Papenburg, Germany | 472.41 |
| September 2025 | Papenburg, Germany | 496.22 |
| November 1, 2026 | Abu Dhabi, UAE | 503.17 |
+6.95 km/h above the September 2025 benchmark
The latest achievement covers single-direction production-car and electric production-car speed records. The Abu Dhabi run took place on a closed highway section. Published November 6, 2026.
Source — BYD’s record announcement and historical milestonesThe breakthrough followed a night of engineering adjustments. After reaching 490 km/h on October 31, the team revised aerodynamic settings, suspension software and tire pressures. Engineers also refined battery and motor temperature preparation before completing two more runs the following day, BYD said.
The U9 Xtreme uses four electric motors, a 1,200-volt electrical architecture and a combined output exceeding 3,000 PS. Specialized tires and active suspension support stability as the car approaches speeds that place exceptional demands on its components.
Its latest result improves on the 496.22 km/h recorded at Germany’s ATP Papenburg facility in September 2025, also with Basseng driving. The gain of 6.95 km/h carries the same model beyond the 500 km/h milestone, extending a development program that has progressively raised its speed capability.
