-
Join the MyBroadband community
South Africa’s biggest forum. Discuss, discover, and connect with thousands of members.
-
Question of the Day: Which is the most hair-raising South African mountain pass you've driven?
The BYD (EV) Thread
- Thread starter FiestaST
- Start date
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Ten things you need to know about the 308mph+ Yangwang U9 Xtreme
We run the facts and figures behind the fastest production car in the world
We run the facts and figures behind the fastest production car in the world
FiestaST
Honorary Master
The Dolphin Surf has arrived at BYD Fourways
FiestaST
Honorary Master
The world has a new fastest car: It comes from China and almost hit 500km/h
And just like that, the world has a new fastest car and it’s not from Bugatti or that insane American outfit whose name sounds like Whisky. Planet Earth’s most brisk production vehicle now comes from China, and it’s fully electric.
On September 14, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme hypercar hit a top speed of 496.22km/h at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in Germany. With Marc Basseng behind the wheel, the electric hypercar narrowly ousted the Bugatti Chiron Prototype that hit 490.48km/h in 2019.
But what is the Yangwang U9 Xtreme?
Yangwang is a sub-brand of BYD, the world’s biggest electric car producer, and the U9 Xtreme (U9X) is a more extreme version of the ‘regular’ U9 hypercar. The company will be producing a limited run of just 30 vehicles.
The U9X features a modified powertrain as well as revised DiSus-X suspension and semi-slick tyres.
Its electrical system has been upgraded from 800V to 1200V, while the four ultra-high-speed motors collectively produce over 2,207kW.
To give you an idea of the improvements made, the standard U9 produces 960kW and managed a top speed of ‘just’ 375km/h in 2024, also with Basseng behind the wheel. Yaqngwang has not announced acceleration times for the U9X, but for what it’s worth, the regular version sprints from 0-100km/h in 2.36 seconds.
And just like that, the world has a new fastest car and it’s not from Bugatti or that insane American outfit whose name sounds like Whisky. Planet Earth’s most brisk production vehicle now comes from China, and it’s fully electric.
On September 14, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme hypercar hit a top speed of 496.22km/h at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in Germany. With Marc Basseng behind the wheel, the electric hypercar narrowly ousted the Bugatti Chiron Prototype that hit 490.48km/h in 2019.
But what is the Yangwang U9 Xtreme?
Yangwang is a sub-brand of BYD, the world’s biggest electric car producer, and the U9 Xtreme (U9X) is a more extreme version of the ‘regular’ U9 hypercar. The company will be producing a limited run of just 30 vehicles.
The U9X features a modified powertrain as well as revised DiSus-X suspension and semi-slick tyres.
Its electrical system has been upgraded from 800V to 1200V, while the four ultra-high-speed motors collectively produce over 2,207kW.
To give you an idea of the improvements made, the standard U9 produces 960kW and managed a top speed of ‘just’ 375km/h in 2024, also with Basseng behind the wheel. Yaqngwang has not announced acceleration times for the U9X, but for what it’s worth, the regular version sprints from 0-100km/h in 2.36 seconds.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
BYD’s U9X electric hypercar breaks global speed record at 496.22 km/h
Yangwang, the luxury sub-brand of BYD, has set a new global production-car top-speed record of 496.22km/h at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in Germany.
The record was set with the U9 Xtreme hypercar, eclipsing its previous EV benchmark and the 490.484km/h maximum of the quickest petrol-powered model to become the world’s fastest car overall.
Upgraded architecture
It dethrones the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, which held the record for the world's fastest production petrol-powered car, achieving a top speed of 490.484 km/h in 2019.
Originally known as the U9 Track/Special Edition, and now officially confirmed as the Yangwang U9 Xtreme in production guise, or U9X for short, it takes the existing technical architecture of the U9 currently on sale in China and harnesses the potential of a number of key evolutions.
These include an upgraded powertrain with 1200V ultra-high-voltage electrics (compared with 800V of the U9 Track/Special Edition ), a lithium iron phosphate Blade Battery with a discharge rate of 30C, four ultra-high-speed motors that operate at up to 30,000rpm and produce a total of more than 2237kW, smaller 20-inch track-level semi-slick tyres from Giti, and revised DiSus-X suspension with specific tuning to cope with the increased stresses of circuit driving.
The car weighs in at 2.480kg.
Yangwang, the luxury sub-brand of BYD, has set a new global production-car top-speed record of 496.22km/h at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in Germany.
The record was set with the U9 Xtreme hypercar, eclipsing its previous EV benchmark and the 490.484km/h maximum of the quickest petrol-powered model to become the world’s fastest car overall.
Upgraded architecture
It dethrones the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, which held the record for the world's fastest production petrol-powered car, achieving a top speed of 490.484 km/h in 2019.
Originally known as the U9 Track/Special Edition, and now officially confirmed as the Yangwang U9 Xtreme in production guise, or U9X for short, it takes the existing technical architecture of the U9 currently on sale in China and harnesses the potential of a number of key evolutions.
These include an upgraded powertrain with 1200V ultra-high-voltage electrics (compared with 800V of the U9 Track/Special Edition ), a lithium iron phosphate Blade Battery with a discharge rate of 30C, four ultra-high-speed motors that operate at up to 30,000rpm and produce a total of more than 2237kW, smaller 20-inch track-level semi-slick tyres from Giti, and revised DiSus-X suspension with specific tuning to cope with the increased stresses of circuit driving.
The car weighs in at 2.480kg.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
BYD Awarded Most Improved Manufacturer for 2025
BYD was awarded as the ‘Most Improved Manufacturer of the Year’ and for ‘Best Value Car’ at the 2025 Business Car Awards.
BYD (Build Your Dreams) was awarded ‘Most Improved Manufacturer of the Year’ and for ‘Best Value Car’ at the 2025 Business Car Awards. The latter follows the newly released Dolphin Surf (also known as the Atto 1, Seagull or Dolphin Mini, dependent on the market), which sits at the top of the list comprising the most affordable EVs in South Africa.
Founded in 2003, over this brand’s 22-year existence it has established itself as a formidable force in the new-energy segment, both globally and locally, since its introduction in South Africa in June 2023.
BYD earned the ‘Most Improved Manufacturer of the Year’ award thanks to its sales success – primarily as a result of BYD’s strong growth in the fleet vehicle and business sector in other markets, as well as the brand’s expanding global dealer network.
The firm received the ‘Best Value Car’ award for the Dolphin Surf; highlighting the city EV’s global positioning as a value-for-money proposition. Recently launched in SA with a starting price below R340 000 (see full pricing here), the Dolphin Surf is available in Comfort and Dynamic level of specification.
www.carmag.co.za
BYD was awarded as the ‘Most Improved Manufacturer of the Year’ and for ‘Best Value Car’ at the 2025 Business Car Awards.
BYD (Build Your Dreams) was awarded ‘Most Improved Manufacturer of the Year’ and for ‘Best Value Car’ at the 2025 Business Car Awards. The latter follows the newly released Dolphin Surf (also known as the Atto 1, Seagull or Dolphin Mini, dependent on the market), which sits at the top of the list comprising the most affordable EVs in South Africa.
Founded in 2003, over this brand’s 22-year existence it has established itself as a formidable force in the new-energy segment, both globally and locally, since its introduction in South Africa in June 2023.
BYD earned the ‘Most Improved Manufacturer of the Year’ award thanks to its sales success – primarily as a result of BYD’s strong growth in the fleet vehicle and business sector in other markets, as well as the brand’s expanding global dealer network.
The firm received the ‘Best Value Car’ award for the Dolphin Surf; highlighting the city EV’s global positioning as a value-for-money proposition. Recently launched in SA with a starting price below R340 000 (see full pricing here), the Dolphin Surf is available in Comfort and Dynamic level of specification.
BYD Awarded Most Improved Manufacturer for 2025
BYD was awarded as the ‘Most Improved Manufacturer of the Year’ and for ‘Best Value Car’ at the 2025 Business Car Awards...
www.carmag.co.za
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Yangwang U9 Xtreme Shatters World Top-Speed Record for Production Cars
The Yangwang U9 Xtreme has set a new world top-speed record for production cars; clocking nearly 500 km/h at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenberg test track in Germany.
Chinese automaker BYD’s luxury sub-brand Yangwang has set a new top-speed record for production cars with the U9 Xtreme all-electric performance car. Tested at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg track in Germany, the U9 Xtreme reached a staggering top whack of 496.22 km/h. For comparison that’s nearly 6 km/h faster than the previous record (490.484 km/h) that has been held by the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ since 2019. Yangwang obliterated the Ospark Owl and Rimac Nevera, and bested its own global EV top speed record in the U9 set last year.
Limited to just 30 examples, the U9 Xtreme, officially launched earlier this month, is a more hardcore version of the “standard” U9, which is already available in China. The U9 Xtreme employs four electric motors, fed by a 1 200 V lithium-iron phosphate Blade Battery. Combined the most-focused U9’s quad electric-motor setup produces an eye-widening 2 206 kW. Track-focused equipment on the U9 Xtreme includes semi-slick tyres and revised DiSus-X suspension.
www.carmag.co.za
The Yangwang U9 Xtreme has set a new world top-speed record for production cars; clocking nearly 500 km/h at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenberg test track in Germany.
Chinese automaker BYD’s luxury sub-brand Yangwang has set a new top-speed record for production cars with the U9 Xtreme all-electric performance car. Tested at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg track in Germany, the U9 Xtreme reached a staggering top whack of 496.22 km/h. For comparison that’s nearly 6 km/h faster than the previous record (490.484 km/h) that has been held by the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ since 2019. Yangwang obliterated the Ospark Owl and Rimac Nevera, and bested its own global EV top speed record in the U9 set last year.
Limited to just 30 examples, the U9 Xtreme, officially launched earlier this month, is a more hardcore version of the “standard” U9, which is already available in China. The U9 Xtreme employs four electric motors, fed by a 1 200 V lithium-iron phosphate Blade Battery. Combined the most-focused U9’s quad electric-motor setup produces an eye-widening 2 206 kW. Track-focused equipment on the U9 Xtreme includes semi-slick tyres and revised DiSus-X suspension.
Yangwang U9 Xtreme Shatters World Top-Speed Record for Production Cars
The Yangwang U9 Xtreme has set a new world top-speed record for production cars at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenberg test track...
www.carmag.co.za
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Lawnchairman
Expert Member
Not seeing many BYD's on the Jozi streets but plenty of Jolion, Jetour and Cherry.
doodlesZHS
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2017
- Messages
- 185
- Reaction score
- 122
That makes sense,most BYD models are on the pricy side until recently with the Dolphin Surf.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
BYD launches South Africa’s new cheapest electric vehicle
Chinese vehicle manufacturer BYD has unveiled the new Dolphin Surf in South Africa, a new electric car that is now the country's most affordable.
bandwidthblog.co.za
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Meeting the 308mph man: Driving world's fastest car was "quite easy"
Marc Basseng just drove the Yangwang U9X faster than any production car yet. Here are his tips
Marc Basseng, the race driver who took an electric hypercar to a staggering 308.4mph last week in Germany, said it was "quite easy" to break the record for the world's fastest production car.
Former GT1 world champion Basseng drove the 3000bhp Yangwang U9 Xtreme hypercar to a record-breaking 308.4mph in a top speed run at Germany's Papenburg test track on Saturday (20 September).
That speed, verified by the ATP testing body, makes the U9X – the flagship from BYD's Yangwang high-performance brand – not just the world's fastest electric car, but also the fastest production car, overtaking the 304.774mph Bugatti Chiron Super Sport.
Basseng said that despite the huge numbers involved – and the massive demand such speed places on the powertrain, bodywork and chassis of the car – it quickly became clear during practice that a record was within reach.
"After the first run, for me it felt like this would be quite easy," he said, "because the acceleration of this car and the power is absolutely unbelievable.
"And then I thought it would not take long as well - maybe two or three days. You always have the limit of a time slot at the ATP, so you can't go as fast as you want all the time."
www.autocar.co.uk
Marc Basseng just drove the Yangwang U9X faster than any production car yet. Here are his tips
Marc Basseng, the race driver who took an electric hypercar to a staggering 308.4mph last week in Germany, said it was "quite easy" to break the record for the world's fastest production car.
Former GT1 world champion Basseng drove the 3000bhp Yangwang U9 Xtreme hypercar to a record-breaking 308.4mph in a top speed run at Germany's Papenburg test track on Saturday (20 September).
That speed, verified by the ATP testing body, makes the U9X – the flagship from BYD's Yangwang high-performance brand – not just the world's fastest electric car, but also the fastest production car, overtaking the 304.774mph Bugatti Chiron Super Sport.
Basseng said that despite the huge numbers involved – and the massive demand such speed places on the powertrain, bodywork and chassis of the car – it quickly became clear during practice that a record was within reach.
"After the first run, for me it felt like this would be quite easy," he said, "because the acceleration of this car and the power is absolutely unbelievable.
"And then I thought it would not take long as well - maybe two or three days. You always have the limit of a time slot at the ATP, so you can't go as fast as you want all the time."
He drove the world's fastest car at 308mph – and this is what it felt like... | Autocar
Marc Basseng just drove the Yangwang U9X faster than any production car yet. Here are his tips
www.autocar.co.uk
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Yes sir.
Speedster
Honorary Master
I can't see - is that a 5 or 6?
FiestaST
Honorary Master
It’s a 6.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Agreed:
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Justin On Cars review of the Dolphin Surf