BYD has announced the Yangwang U9 Xtreme as the world's fastest production car

More than 496 km/h! The title of the world's fastest production car is claimed by a Chinese hypercar with an electric propulsion system. But does the record count?

Here's What We Know

Chinese carmakers are conquering the international market at a record pace. Now literally, too. On 14 September this year at the Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in Germany, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme accelerated to 496.22 km/h, improving its August result by more than 20 km/h. BYD, the parent company of the Yangwang brand, considers this a world record among production cars.

But so far it seems that this speed was achieved in one direction only. The Chinese manufacturer mentions official certification, but does not reveal details.

Officially, the crown of the fastest car in the world so far belongs to the Koenigsegg Agera RS, which in 2017 showed 447 km/h in both directions on a stretch of public road.

The 2019 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ became the first production car to break the 300mph barrier. At the proving ground in Era-Lessin near Wolfsburg, the 16-cylinder supercar reached 490.48 km/h, though also only in one direction. Nevertheless, the 1600 hp Chiron is publicly regarded as the fastest production car on the planet.

The Yangwang U9 Xtreme, abbreviated U9X, was originally known as the U9 Track/Special Edition. The model is based on the U9 already available in China, but with a number of refinements. In particular, the powertrain operates as part of a 1200-volt system (instead of the basic 800 volts). Four motors develop together over 3000 hp, wheel discs are "shoehorned" in semi-slicks, and the DiSus-X suspension is specially tuned for increased loads when used on the track.

The hypercar was driven by Marc Basseng, a German driver with extensive experience in endurance racing. He noted that such an achievement is technically unattainable with an internal combustion engine. Thanks to the electric motor, the car drives quietly and there are no jerky shifts, allowing the driver to concentrate even more on the track.

The U9 Xtreme will be produced in a limited edition of 30 copies.

Source: Motor1